Oligomer-protein tyrosine kinase inhibitor conjugates

ABSTRACT

The invention relates to (among other things) oligomer-PTK inhibitor conjugates and related compounds. A compound of the invention, when administered by any of a number of administration routes, exhibits advantages over PTK inhibitor compounds lacking a water-soluble, non-peptidic oligomer.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of priority under 35 U.S.C. §119(e) to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/170,541, filed 17 Apr. 2009, and U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/267,302, filed 7 Dec. 2009, the disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention comprises (among other things) chemically modified protein tyrosine kinase inhibitors (PTK inhibitors) that possess certain advantages over PTK inhibitors lacking the chemical modification. The chemically modified PTK inhibitors described herein relate to and/or have application(s) in (among others) the fields of drug discovery, pharmacotherapy, physiology, organic chemistry and polymer chemistry.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Protein kinases (“PKs”) are enzymes that catalyze the phosphorylation of hydroxy groups on tyrosine, serine and threonine residues of proteins. The consequences of this seemingly simple activity are staggering; cell growth, differentiation and proliferation, i.e., virtually all aspects of cell life in one way or another depend on PK activity. Furthermore, abnormal PK activity has been related to a host of disorders, ranging from relatively non-life threatening diseases such as psoriasis to extremely virulent diseases such as glioblastoma (brain cancer).

Generally, the PKs can be categorized into two classes, the protein tyrosine kinases (PTKs) and the serine-threonine kinases (STKs). However, other kinases are reported that phosphorylate other amino acids, such as histidine. Kinases with dual (serine/threonine and tyrosine) specificity are also reported (e.g., MEK or MAPKK).

Many PTKs are involved with growth factor receptors. When bound by a growth factor ligand, growth factor receptors are converted to an active form which interacts with proteins on the inner surface of the cell membrane. This leads to phosphorylation on tyrosine residues of the receptor and other proteins and to the formation inside the cell of complexes with a variety of cytoplasmic signaling molecules that, in turn, affect numerous cellular responses such as cell division (proliferation), cell differentiation, and cell growth.

Growth factor receptors with PTK activity are known as receptor tyrosine kinases (“RTKs”). They comprise a family of transmembrane receptors with diverse biological activity. The HER subfamily of RTKs includes EGFR (epithelial growth factor receptor), HER2, HER3 and HER4. These RTKs consist of an extracellular glycosylated ligand binding domain, a transmembrane domain and an intracellular cytoplasmic catalytic domain that can phosphorylate tyrosine residues on proteins.

Another RTK subfamily consists of insulin receptor (IR), insulin-like growth factor I receptor (IGF-1R) and insulin receptor related receptor (IRR). IR and IGF-1R interact with insulin, IGF-I and IGF-II to form a heterotetramer of two entirely extracellular glycosylated alpha subunits and two beta subunits which cross the cell membrane and which contain the tyrosine kinase domain.

A third RTK subfamily is referred to as the “platelet derived growth factor receptor” (“PDGFR”) group, which includes PDGFR-α, PDGFR-β, CSFIR, c-kit and c-fms. These receptors consist of glycosylated extracellular domains composed of variable numbers of immunoglobin-like loops and an intracellular domain wherein the tyrosine kinase domain is interrupted by unrelated amino acid sequences.

Another group, which, because of its similarity to the PDGFR subfamily (and is sometimes subsumed into the PDGFR subfamily) is the fetus liver kinase (“flk”) receptor subfamily. This group is believed to be made up of kinase insert domain-receptor fetal liver kinase-1 (KDR/FLK-1, VEGF-R2), flk-1R, flk-4 and fins-like tyrosine kinase 1 (flt-1).

A further member of the tyrosine kinase growth factor receptor family is the fibroblast growth factor (“FGF”) receptor subgroup. This group consists of four receptors, FGFR1-4, and seven ligands, FGF1-7. While not yet well defined, it appears that the receptors consist of a glycosylated extracellular domain containing a variable number of immunoglobin-like loops and an intracellular domain in which the tyrosine kinase sequence is interrupted by regions of unrelated amino acid sequences.

Still another member of the tyrosine kinase growth factor receptor family is the vascular endothelial growth factor (“VEGF”) receptor subgroup. VEGF is a dimeric glycoprotein similar to PDGF but has different biological functions and target cell specificity in vivo. In particular, VEGF is presently thought to play an essential role is vasculogenesis and angiogenesis.

In addition to the RTKs, there also exists a family of entirely intracellular PTKs called “non-receptor tyrosine kinases” or “cellular tyrosine kinases” (CTKs). CTKs do not contain extracellular and transmembrane domains. More than 24 CTKs in 11 subfamilies (Src, Frk, Btk, Csk, Abl, Zap70, Fes, Fps, Fak, Jak and Ack) have been identified. The Src subfamily appears so far to be the largest group of CTKs and includes Src, Yes, Fyn, Lyn, Lek, Bik, Hck, Fgr and Yrk.

The serine/threonine kinases, STKs, like the CTKs, are predominantly intracellular although there are a few receptor kinases of the STK type. STKs are the most common of the cytosolic kinases.

RTKs, CTKs and STKs have all been implicated in a host of pathogenic conditions including, significantly, various cancers. Other pathogenic conditions which have been associated with PTKs include, without limitation, psoriasis, hepatic cirrhosis, diabetes, angiogenesis, restenosis, ocular diseases, rheumatoid arthritis and other inflammatory disorders, immunological disorders such as autoimmune disease, cardiovascular disease such as atherosclerosis and a variety of renal disorders.

With regard to cancer, two of the major hypotheses advanced to explain the excessive cellular proliferation that drives tumor development relate to functions known to be PK regulated. It has been suggested that malignant cell growth results from a breakdown in the mechanisms that control cell division and/or differentiation. It has been shown that the protein products of a number of proto-oncogenes are involved in the signal transduction pathways that regulate cell growth and differentiation. These protein products of proto-oncogenes include the extracellular growth factors, transmembrane growth factor PTK receptors (RTKs), cytoplasmic PTKs (CTKs) and cytosolic STKs, discussed above.

Many small molecule PTK inhibitors have been developed over the years, including, but not limited to, imatinib, dasatinib, canertinib, erlotinib, gefitinib, lapatinib, sorafenib, sunitinib, and vatalinib. These molecules have been prescribed for many diseases, including, chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML), gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs), renal cell carcinoma, and solid tumors, including breast, lung, and colorectal cancers; and are used as anti-neoplastic agents and as radio-sensitizing agents. However, treatment with these agents suffer from many side effects, including, hypertension, fatigue, asthenia, diarrhea, hand-foot syndrome, neutropenia and myelosuppression, peripheral edema, headache, and hypocalcemia.

Therefore, pharmacotherapy with such therapeutic PTK inhibitors would be improved if these and/or other adverse or side effects associated with their use could be decreased or if their pharmacology may be improved. Thus, there is a large unmet need for developing novel PTK inhibitor compounds.

The present invention seeks to address these and other needs in the art.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one or more embodiments of the invention, a compound is provided, the compound comprising a PTK inhibitor residue covalently attached via a stable or degradable linkage to a water-soluble, non-peptidic oligomer.

The “PTK inhibitor residue” is a compound having a structure of a PTK inhibitor compound that is altered by the presence of one or more bonds, which bonds serve to attach (either directly or indirectly) one or more water-soluble, non-peptidic oligomers.

Exemplary compounds of the invention include those having the following structure

wherein:

R₁ is 4-pyrazinyl, 1-methyl-1H-pyrrolyl, amino- or amino-lower alkyl-substituted phenyl wherein the amino group in each case is free, alkylated or acylated, 1H-indolyl or 1H-imidazolyl bonded at a five-membered ring carbon atom, or unsubstituted or lower alkyl-substituted pyridyl bonded at a ring carbon atom and unsubstituted or substituted at the nitrogen atom by oxygen;

R₂ and R₃ are each independently of the other hydrogen or lower alkyl;

one or two of the radicals R₄, R₅, R₆, R₇ and R₈ are each nitro, fluoro-substituted lower alkoxy or a radical of Formula II-C,

—N(R₉)—C(═Z)—(Y)_(n)—R₁₀—X-POLY  (Formula II-C),

wherein

R₉ is hydrogen or lower alkyl,

Z is oxo, thio, imino, N-lower alkyl-imino, hydroximino or O—lower alkyl-hydroximino,

Y is oxygen or —NH—,

n is 0 or 1,

R₁₀ is a bivalent aliphatic hydrocarbon radical having 5-22 carbon atoms, a phenyl or naphthyl radical, each of which is unsubstituted or substituted by a moiety selected from the group consisting of cyano, lower alkyl, hydroxy-lower alkyl, amino-lower alkyl, (4-methyl-piperazinyl)-lower alkyl, trifluoromethyl, hydroxy, lower alkoxy, lower alkanoyloxy, halogen, amino, lower alkylamino, di-lower alkylamino, lower alkanoylamino, benzoylamino, carboxy, lower alkoxycarbonyl, phenyl-lower alkyl wherein the phenyl radical is unsubstituted or substituted, a cycloalkyl or cycloalkenyl radical having up to 30 carbon atoms, cycloalkyl-lower alkyl or cycloalkenyl-lower alkyl each having up to 30 carbon atoms in the cycloalkyl or cycloalkenyl moiety, a monocyclic radical having 5 or 6 ring members and 1-3 ring hetero atoms selected from nitrogen, oxygen and sulfur, to which radical one or two benzene radicals may be fused, and lower alkyl substituted by a monocyclic radical,

X is a spacer moiety, and

POLY is a water-soluble, non-peptidic oligomer; and

the remaining radicals of R₄, R₅, R₆, R₇ and R₈ that are not nitro, fluoro-substituted lower alkoxy or a radical of formula II are each independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, lower alkyl that is unsubstituted or substituted by free or alkylated amino, piperazinyl, piperidinyl, pyrrolidinyl or by morpholinyl, or lower alkanoyl, trifluoromethyl, free, etherified or esterifed hydroxy, free, alkylated or acylated amino or free or esterified carboxy.

Exemplary compounds of the invention include those moieties of Formula I-C wherein: R₁ is unsubstituted or C₁₋₇ alkyl-substituted pyridyl bonded at a ring carbon atom; R₂ is selected from the group consisting of H, methyl and ethyl; R₃ is selected from the group consisting of H, methyl and ethyl; only one of R₄, R₅, R₆, R₇ and R₈ is a radical of —N(R₉)—C(═Z)—(Y)_(n)—R₁₀-X-POLY (Formula II-C), and the remaining of R₄, R₅, R₆, R₇ and R₈ are each independent selected from the group of hydrogen, methyl and ethyl, and further wherein, with respect to Formula II-C, R₉ is selected from the group consisting of H, methyl and ethyl, Z is oxo, (n) is 0, and R₁₀ is a bivalent aromatic radical (such as 2-naphthyl and phenyl) optionally substituted with cyano, hydroxyl, amino, and 4-methyl-piperazinyl substituted methyl, X is a spacer moiety, and POLY is a water-soluble, non-peptidic oligomer.

In this regard, any PTK inhibitor compound having PTK inhibitory activity can be used as a PTK inhibitor moiety. Exemplary PTK inhibitor moieties have a structure encompassed by Formula I:

wherein:

R₁ is 4-pyrazinyl, 1-methyl-1H-pyrrolyl, amino- or amino-lower alkyl-substituted phenyl wherein the amino group in each case is free, alkylated or acylated, 1H-indolyl or 1H-imidazolyl bonded at a five-membered ring carbon atom, or unsubstituted or lower alkyl-substituted pyridyl bonded at a ring carbon atom and unsubstituted or substituted at the nitrogen atom by oxygen;

R₂ and R₃ are each independently of the other hydrogen or lower alkyl;

one or two of the radicals R₄, R₅, R₆, R₇ and R₈ are each nitro, fluoro-substituted lower alkoxy or a radical of Formula II,

—N(R₉)—C(═Z)—(Y)_(n)—R₁₀   (Formula II),

wherein

R₉ is hydrogen or lower alkyl,

Z is oxo, thio, imino, N-lower alkyl-imino, hydroximino or O—lower alkyl-hydroximino,

Y is oxygen or —NH—,

n is 0 or 1,

R₁₀ is an aliphatic hydrocarbon radical having 5-22 carbon atoms, a phenyl or naphthyl radical, each of which is unsubstituted or substituted by a moiety selected from the group consisting of cyano, lower alkyl, hydroxy-lower alkyl, amino-lower alkyl, (4-methyl-piperazinyl)-lower alkyl, trifluoromethyl, hydroxy, lower alkoxy, lower alkanoyloxy, halogen, amino, lower alkylamino, di-lower alkylamino, lower alkanoylamino, benzoylamino, carboxy, lower alkoxycarbonyl, phenyl-lower alkyl wherein the phenyl radical is unsubstituted or substituted, a cycloalkyl or cycloalkenyl radical having up to 30 carbon atoms, cycloalkyl-lower alkyl or cycloalkenyl-lower alkyl each having up to 30 carbon atoms in the cycloalkyl or cycloalkenyl moiety, a monocyclic radical having 5 or 6 ring members and 1-3 ring hetero atoms selected from nitrogen, oxygen and sulfur, to which radical one or two benzene radicals may be fused, and lower alkyl substituted by a monocyclic radical; and

the remaining radicals of R₄, R₅, R₆, R₇ and R₈ that are not nitro, fluoro-substituted lower alkoxy or a radical of formula II are each independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, lower alkyl that is unsubstituted or substituted by free or alkylated amino, piperazinyl, piperidinyl, pyrrolidinyl or by morpholinyl, or lower alkanoyl, trifluoromethyl, free, etherified or esterifed hydroxy, free, allcylated or acylated amino or free or esterified carboxy.

Exemplary PTK inhibitor moieties include those moieties of Formula I wherein: R₁ is unsubstituted or C₁₋₇ alkyl-substituted pyridyl bonded at a ring carbon atom;

R₂ is selected from the group consisting of H, methyl and ethyl; R₃ is selected from the group consisting of H, methyl and ethyl; only one of R₄, R₅, R₆, R₇ and R₈ is a radical of —N(R₉)—C(═Z)—(Y)_(n)—R₁₀ (Formula II), and the remaining of R₄, R₅, R₆, R₇ and R₈ are each independent selected from the group of hydrogen, methyl and ethyl, and further wherein, with respect to Formula II, R₉ is selected from the group consisting of H, methyl and ethyl, Z is oxo, (n) is 0, and R₁₀ is an aromatic radical (such as 2-naphthyl and phenyl) optionally substituted with cyano, hydroxyl, amino, and 4-methyl-piperazinyl substituted methyl.

A further exemplary PTK inhibitor moiety is referred to generically as imatinib and chemically as (4-[(4-methylpiperazin-1-yl)methyl]-N-[4-methyl-3-[(4-pyridin-3-ylpyrimidin-2-yl)amino]phenyl]benzamide), as well as its pharmaceutically acceptable salts including, but not limited to, the mesylate salt (e.g., formed using methanesulfonic acid).

In one or more embodiments of the invention, a composition is provided, the composition comprising a compound comprising a PTK inhibitor residue covalently attached via a stable or degradable linkage to a water-soluble, non-peptidic oligomer, and optionally, a pharmaceutically acceptable excipient.

In one or more embodiments of the invention, a dosage form is provided, the dosage form comprising a compound comprising a PTK inhibitor residue covalently attached via a stable or degradable linkage to a water-soluble, non-peptidic oligomer, wherein the compound is present in a dosage form.

In one or more embodiments of the invention, a method is provided, the method comprising covalently attaching a water-soluble, non-peptidic oligomer to a PTK inhibitor moiety.

In one or more embodiments of the invention, a method is provided, the method comprising administering a compound to a mammal in need thereof, comprising a PTK inhibitor residue covalently attached via a stable or degradable linkage to a water-soluble, non-peptidic oligomer.

Additional embodiments of the presently described compounds, compositions, methods, and the like will be apparent from the following description, examples, and claims. As can be appreciated from the foregoing and following description, each and every feature described herein, and each and every combination of two or more of such features, is included within the scope of the present disclosure provided that the features included in such a combination are not mutually inconsistent. In addition, any feature or combination of features may be specifically excluded from any embodiment of the present invention. Additional aspects and advantages of the present invention are set forth in the following description and claims, particularly when considered in conjunction with the accompanying examples and drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

As used in this specification, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.

In describing and claiming the present invention, the following terminology will be used in accordance with the definitions described below.

“Water soluble, non-peptidic oligomer” indicates an oligomer that is at least 35% (by weight) soluble, preferably greater than 70% (by weight), and more preferably greater than 95% (by weight) soluble, in water at room temperature. Typically, an unfiltered aqueous preparation of a “water-soluble” oligomer transmits at least 75%, more preferably at least 95%, of the amount of light transmitted by the same solution after filtering. It is most preferred, however, that the water-soluble oligomer is at least 95% (by weight) soluble in water or completely soluble in water. With respect to being “non-peptidic,” an oligomer is non-peptidic when it has less than 35% (by weight) of PTK inhibitor residues.

The terms “monomer,” “monomeric subunit” and “monomeric unit” are used interchangeably herein and refer to one of the basic structural units of a polymer or oligomer. In the case of a homo-oligomer, a single repeating structural unit forms the oligomer. In the case of a co-oligomer, two or more structural units are repeated—either in a pattern or randomly—to form the oligomer. Preferred oligomers used in connection with present the invention are homo-oligomers. The water-soluble, non-peptidic oligomer comprises one or more monomers serially attached to form a chain of monomers. The oligomer can be formed from a single monomer type (i.e., is homo-oligomeric) or two or three monomer types (i.e., is co-oligomeric).

An “oligomer” is a molecule possessing from about 1 to about 30 monomers. Specific oligomers for use in the invention include those having a variety of geometries such as linear, branched, or forked, to be described in greater detail below.

“PEG” or “polyethylene glycol,” as used herein, is meant to encompass any water-soluble poly(ethylene oxide). Unless otherwise indicated, a “PEG oligomer” or an oligoethylene glycol is one in which substantially all (preferably all) monomeric subunits are ethylene oxide subunits, though, the oligomer may contain distinct end capping moieties or functional groups, e.g., for conjugation. PEG oligomers for use in the present invention will comprise one of the two following structures: “—(CH₂CH₂O)_(n)—” or “—(CH₂CH₂O)_(n-1)CH₂CH₂—,” depending upon whether or not the terminal oxygen(s) has been displaced, e.g., during a synthetic transformation. As stated above, for the PEG oligomers, the variable (n) ranges from about 1 to 30, and the terminal groups and architecture of the overall PEG can vary. When PEG further comprises a functional group, A, for linking to, e.g., a small molecule drug, the functional group when covalently attached to a PEG oligomer does not result in formation of (i) an oxygen-oxygen bond (—O—O—, a peroxide linkage), or (ii) a nitrogen-oxygen bond (N—O, O—N).

The terms “end-capped” or “terminally capped” are interchangeably used herein to refer to a terminal or endpoint of a polymer having an end-capping moiety. Typically, although not necessarily, the end-capping moiety comprises a hydroxy or C₁₋₂₀ alkoxy group. Thus, examples of end-capping moieties include alkoxy (e.g., methoxy, ethoxy and benzyloxy), as well as aryl, heteroaryl, cyclo, heterocyclo, and the like. In addition, saturated, unsaturated, substituted and unsubstituted forms of each of the foregoing are envisioned. Moreover, the end-capping group can also be a silane. The end-capping group can also advantageously comprise a detectable label. When the polymer has an end-capping group comprising a detectable label, the amount or location of the polymer and/or the moiety (e.g., active agent) of interest to which the polymer is coupled, can be determined by using a suitable detector. Such labels include, without limitation, fluorescers, chemiluminescers, moieties used in enzyme labeling, colorimetric moieties (e.g., dyes), metal ions, radioactive moieties, and the like. Suitable detectors include photometers, films, spectrometers, and the like. In addition, the end-capping group may contain a targeting moiety.

The term “targeting moiety” is used herein to refer to a molecular structure that helps the conjugates of the invention to localize to a targeting area, e.g., help enter a cell, or bind a receptor. Preferably, the targeting moiety comprises a vitamin, antibody, antigen, receptor, DNA, RNA, sialyl Lewis X antigen, hyaluronic acid, sugars, cell-specific lectins, steroid or steroid derivative, RGD peptide, ligand for a cell surface receptor, serum component, or combinatorial molecule directed against various intra- or extracellular receptors. The targeting moiety may also comprise a lipid or a phospholipid. Exemplary phospholipids include, without limitation, phosphatidylcholines, phospatidylserine, phospatidylinositol, phospatidylglycerol, and phospatidylethanolamine. These lipids may be in the form of micelles or liposomes and the like. The targeting moiety may further comprise a detectable label or alternately a detectable label may serve as a targeting moiety. When the conjugate has a targeting group comprising a detectable label, the amount and/or distribution/location of the polymer and/or the moiety (e.g., active agent) to which the polymer is coupled can be determined by using a suitable detector. Such labels include, without limitation, fluorescers, chemiluminescers, moieties used in enzyme labeling, colorimetric (e.g., dyes), metal ions, radioactive moieties, gold particles, quantum dots, and the like.

“Branched,” in reference to the geometry or overall structure of an oligomer, refers to an oligomer having two or more polymers “arms” extending from a branch point.

“Forked,” in reference to the geometry or overall structure of an oligomer, refers to an oligomer having two or more functional groups (typically through one or more atoms) extending from a branch point.

A “branch point” refers to a bifurcation point comprising one or more atoms at which an oligomer branches or forks from a linear structure into one or more additional arms.

The term “reactive” or “activated” refers to a functional group that reacts readily or at a practical rate under conventional conditions of organic synthesis. This is in contrast to those groups that either do not react or require strong catalysts or impractical reaction conditions in order to react (i.e., a “nonreactive” or “inert” group).

“Not readily reactive,” with reference to a functional group present on a molecule in a reaction mixture, indicates that the group remains largely intact under conditions that are effective to produce a desired reaction in the reaction mixture.

A “protecting group” is a moiety that prevents or blocks reaction of a particular chemically reactive functional group in a molecule under certain reaction conditions. The protecting group may vary depending upon the type of chemically reactive group being protected as well as the reaction conditions to be employed and the presence of additional reactive or protecting groups in the molecule. Functional groups which may be protected include, by way of example, carboxylic acid groups, amino groups, hydroxyl groups, thiol groups, carbonyl groups and the like. Representative protecting groups for carboxylic acids include esters (such as a p-methoxybenzyl ester), amides and hydrazides; for amino groups, carbamates (such as tert-butoxycarbonyl) and amides; for hydroxyl groups, ethers and esters; for thiol groups, thioethers and thioesters; for carbonyl groups, acetals and ketals; and the like. Such protecting groups are well-known to those skilled in the art and are described, for example, in T. W. Greene and G. M. Wuts, Protecting Groups in Organic Synthesis, Third Edition, Wiley, N.Y., 1999, and references cited therein.

A functional group in “protected form” refers to a functional group bearing a protecting group. As used herein, the term “functional group” or any synonym thereof encompasses protected forms thereof.

A “physiologically cleavable” or “hydrolyzable” or “degradable” bond is a relatively labile bond that reacts with water (i.e., is hydrolyzed) under physiological conditions. The tendency of a bond to hydrolyze in water may depend not only on the general type of linkage connecting two central atoms but also on the substituents attached to these central atoms. Appropriate hydrolytically unstable or weak linkages include but are not limited to carboxylate ester, phosphate ester, anhydrides, acetals, ketals, acyloxyalkyl ether, imines, orthoesters, peptides, oligonucleotides, thioesters, and carbonates.

An “enzymatically degradable linkage” means a linkage that is subject to degradation by one or more enzymes.

A “stable” linkage or bond refers to a chemical bond that is substantially stable in water, that is to say, does not undergo hydrolysis under physiological conditions to any appreciable extent over an extended period of time. Examples of hydrolytically stable linkages include but are not limited to the following: carbon-carbon bonds (e.g., in aliphatic chains), ethers, amides, urethanes, amines, and the like. Generally, a stable linkage is one that exhibits a rate of hydrolysis of less than about 1-2% per day under physiological conditions. Hydrolysis rates of representative chemical bonds can be found in most standard chemistry textbooks.

“Substantially” or “essentially” means nearly totally or completely, for instance, 95% or greater, more preferably 97% or greater, still more preferably 98% or greater, even more preferably 99% or greater, yet still more preferably 99.9% or greater, with 99.99% or greater being most preferred of some given quantity. “Monodisperse” refers to an oligomer composition wherein substantially all of the oligomers in the composition have a well-defined, single molecular weight and defined number of monomers, as determined by chromatography or mass spectrometry. Monodisperse oligomer compositions are in one sense pure, that is, substantially having a single and definable number (as a whole number) of monomers rather than a large distribution. A monodisperse oligomer composition possesses a MW/Mn value of 1.0005 or less, and more preferably, a MW/Mn value of 1.0000. By extension, a composition comprised of monodisperse conjugates means that substantially all oligomers of all conjugates in the composition have a single and definable number (as a whole number) of monomers rather than a large distribution and would possess a MW/Mn value of 1.0005, and more preferably, a MW/Mn value of 1.0000 if the oligomer were not attached to the therapeutic moiety. A composition comprised of monodisperse conjugates may, however, include one or more nonconjugate substances such as solvents, reagents, excipients, and so forth.

“Bimodal,” in reference to an oligomer composition, refers to an oligomer composition wherein substantially all oligomers in the composition have one of two definable and different numbers (as whole numbers) of monomers rather than a large distribution, and whose distribution of molecular weights, when plotted as a number fraction versus molecular weight, appears as two separate identifiable peaks. Preferably, for a bimodal oligomer composition as described herein, each peak is generally symmetric about its mean, although the size of the two peaks may differ. Ideally, the polydispersity index of each peak in the bimodal distribution, Mw/Mn, is 1.01 or less, more preferably 1.001 or less, and even more preferably 1.0005 or less, and most preferably a MW/Mn value of 1.0000. By extension, a composition comprised of bimodal conjugates means that substantially all oligomers of all conjugates in the composition have one of two definable and different numbers (as whole numbers) of monomers rather than a large distribution and would possess a MW/Mn value of 1.01 or less, more preferably 1.001 or less and even more preferably 1.0005 or less, and most preferably a MW/Mn value of 1.0000 if the oligomer were not attached to the therapeutic moiety. A composition comprised of bimodal conjugates may, however, include one or more nonconjugate substances such as solvents, reagents, excipients, and so forth.

A “PTK inhibitor” is broadly used herein to refer to an organic, inorganic, or organometallic compound having a molecular weight of less than about 1000 Daltons and having some degree of activity as a PTK inhibitor. PTK inhibitor activity of a compound may be measured by assays known in the art and also as described herein.

A “biological membrane” is any membrane made of cells or tissues that serves as a barrier to at least some foreign entities or otherwise undesirable materials. As used herein a “biological membrane” includes those membranes that are associated with physiological protective barriers including, for example: the blood-brain barrier (BBB); the blood-cerebrospinal fluid barrier; the blood-placental barrier; the blood-milk barrier; the blood-testes barrier; and mucosal barriers including the vaginal mucosa, urethral mucosa, anal mucosa, buccal mucosa, sublingual mucosa, and rectal mucosa. Unless the context clearly dictates otherwise, the term “biological membrane” does not include those membranes associated with the middle gastro-intestinal tract (e.g., stomach and small intestines).

A “biological membrane crossing rate,” provides a measure of a compound's ability to cross a biological membrane, such as the blood-brain barrier (“BBB”). A variety of methods may be used to assess transport of a molecule across any given biological membrane. Methods to assess the biological membrane crossing rate associated with any given biological barrier (e.g., the blood-cerebrospinal fluid barrier, the blood-placental barrier, the blood-milk barrier, the intestinal barrier, and so forth), are known, described herein and/or in the relevant literature, and/or may be determined by one of ordinary skill in the art.

A “reduced rate of metabolism” refers to a measurable reduction in the rate of metabolism of a water-soluble oligomer-small molecule drug conjugate as compared to the rate of metabolism of the small molecule drug not attached to the water-soluble oligomer (i.e., the small molecule drug itself) or a reference standard material. In the special case of “reduced first pass rate of metabolism,” the same “reduced rate of metabolism” is required except that the small molecule drug (or reference standard material) and the corresponding conjugate are administered orally. Orally administered drugs are absorbed from the gastro-intestinal tract into the portal circulation and may pass through the liver prior to reaching the systemic circulation. Because the liver is the primary site of drug metabolism or biotransformation, a substantial amount of drug may be metabolized before it ever reaches the systemic circulation. The degree of first pass metabolism, and thus, any reduction thereof, may be measured by a number of different approaches. For instance, animal blood samples may be collected at timed intervals and the plasma or serum analyzed by liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry for metabolite levels. Other techniques for measuring a “reduced rate of metabolism” associated with the first pass metabolism and other metabolic processes are known, described herein and/or in the relevant literature, and/or may be determined by one of ordinary skill in the art. Preferably, a conjugate of the invention may provide a reduced rate of metabolism reduction satisfying at least one of the following values: at least about 30%; at least about 40%; at least about 50%; at least about 60%; at least about 70%; at least about 80%; and at least about 90%. A compound (such as a small molecule drug or conjugate thereof) that is “orally bioavailable” is one that preferably possesses a bioavailability when administered orally of greater than 25%, and preferably greater than 70%, where a compound's bioavailability is the fraction of administered drug that reaches the systemic circulation in unmetabolized form.

“Alkyl” refers to a hydrocarbon chain, ranging from about 1 to 20 atoms in length. Such hydrocarbon chains are preferably but not necessarily saturated and may be branched or straight chain. Exemplary alkyl groups include methyl, ethyl, propyl, butyl, pentyl, 2-methylbutyl, 2-ethylpropyl, 3-methylpentyl, and the like. As used herein, “alkyl” includes cycloalkyl when three or more carbon atoms are referenced. An “alkenyl” group is an alkyl of 2 to 20 carbon atoms with at least one carbon-carbon double bond.

The terms “substituted alkyl” or “substituted C_(q-r) alkyl” where q and r are integers identifying the range of carbon atoms contained in the alkyl group, denotes the above alkyl groups that are substituted by one, two or three halo (e.g., F, Cl, Br, I), trifluoromethyl, hydroxy, C₁₋₇ alkyl (e.g., methyl, ethyl, n-propyl, isopropyl, butyl, t-butyl, and so forth), C₁₋₇ alkoxy, C₁₋₇ acyloxy, C₃₋₇ heterocyclic, amino, phenoxy, nitro, carboxy, acyl, cyano. The substituted alkyl groups may be substituted once, twice or three times with the same or with different substituents.

“Lower alkyl” refers to an alkyl group containing from 1 to 7 carbon atoms, and may be straight chain or branched, as exemplified by methyl, ethyl, n-butyl, i-butyl, t-butyl. “Lower alkenyl” refers to a lower alkyl group of 2 to 6 carbon atoms having at least one carbon-carbon double bond.

“Non-interfering substituents” are those groups that, when present in a molecule, are typically non-reactive with other functional groups contained within the molecule.

“Alkoxy” refers to an —O—R group, wherein R is alkyl or substituted alkyl, preferably C₁-C₂₀ alkyl (e.g., methoxy, ethoxy, propyloxy, etc.), preferably C₁-C₇.

“Pharmaceutically acceptable excipient” or “pharmaceutically acceptable carrier” refers to component that may be included in the compositions of the invention causes no significant adverse toxicological effects to a patient.

The term “aryl” means an aromatic group having up to 14 carbon atoms. Aryl groups include phenyl, naphthyl, biphenyl, phenanthrenyl, naphthalenyl, and the like. “Substituted phenyl” and “substituted aryl” denote a phenyl group and aryl group, respectively, substituted with one, two, three, four or five (e.g., 1-2, 1-3 or 1-4 substituents) chosen from halo (F, Cl, Br, I), hydroxy, cyano, nitro, alkyl (e.g., C₁₋₆ alkyl), alkoxy (e.g., C₁₋₆ alkoxy), benzyloxy, carboxy, aryl, and so forth.

Chemical moieties are defined and referred to throughout primarily as univalent chemical moieties (e.g., alkyl, aryl, etc.). Nevertheless, such terms are also used to convey corresponding multivalent moieties under the appropriate structural circumstances clear to those skilled in the art. For example, while an “alkyl” moiety generally refers to a monovalent radical (e.g., CH₃—CH₂—), in certain circumstances, a bivalent linking moiety can be “alkyl,” in which case those skilled in the art will understand the alkyl to be a divalent radical (e.g., —CH₂—CH₂—), which is equivalent to the term “alkylene.” (Similarly, in circumstances in which a divalent moiety is required and is stated as being “aryl,” those skilled in the art will understand that the term “aryl” refers to the corresponding multivalent moiety, arylene). All atoms are understood to have their normal number of valences for bond formation (i.e., 1 for H, 4 for carbon, 3 for N, 2 for O, and 2, 4, or 6 for S, depending on the oxidation state of the S).

“Pharmacologically effective amount,” “physiologically effective amount,” and “therapeutically effective amount” are used interchangeably herein to mean the amount of a water-soluble oligomer-small molecule drug conjugate present in a composition that is needed to provide a desired level of active agent and/or conjugate in the bloodstream or in the target tissue. The precise amount may depend upon numerous factors, e.g., the particular active agent, the components and physical characteristics of the composition, intended patient population, patient considerations, and may readily be determined by one skilled in the art, based upon the information provided herein and available in the relevant literature.

A “difunctional” oligomer is an oligomer having two functional groups contained therein, typically at its termini. When the functional groups are the same, the oligomer is said to be homodifunctional. When the functional groups are different, the oligomer is said to be heterodifunctional.

A basic reactant or an acidic reactant described herein include neutral, charged, and any corresponding salt forms thereof.

The term “patient,” refers to a living organism suffering from or prone to a condition that can be prevented or treated by administration of a conjugate as described herein, and includes both humans and animals.

“Optional” or “optionally” means that the subsequently described circumstance may but need not necessarily occur, so that the description includes instances where the circumstance occurs and instances where it does not.

As indicated above, the present invention is directed to (among other things) a compound comprising a PTK inhibitor residue covalently attached via a stable or degradable linkage to a water-soluble, non-peptidic oligomer.

The “PTK inhibitor residue” is a compound having a structure of a PTK inhibitor compound that is altered by the presence of one or more bonds, which bonds serve to attach (either directly or indirectly) one or more water-soluble, non-peptidic oligomers. Exemplary PTK inhibitors have a structure encompassed by Formula I:

wherein:

R₁ is 4-pyrazinyl, 1-methyl-1H-pyrrolyl, amino- or amino-lower alkyl-substituted phenyl wherein the amino group in each case is free, alkylated or acylated, 1H-indolyl or 1H-imidazolyl bonded at a five-membered ring carbon atom, or unsubstituted or lower alkyl-substituted pyridyl bonded at a ring carbon atom and unsubstituted or substituted at the nitrogen atom by oxygen;

R₂ and R₃ are each independently of the other hydrogen or lower alkyl; one or two of the radicals R₄, R₅, R₆, R₇ and R₈ are each nitro, fluoro-substituted lower alkoxy or a radical of Formula II,

—N(R₉)—C(═Z)—(Y)_(n)—R₁₀   (Formula II),

wherein

R₉ is hydrogen or lower alkyl,

Z is oxo, thio, imino, N-lower alkyl-imino, hydroximino or O—lower alkyl-hydroximino,

Y is oxygen or —NH—,

n is 0 or 1,

R₁₀ is an aliphatic hydrocarbon radical having 5-22 carbon atoms, a phenyl or naphthyl radical, each of which is unsubstituted or substituted by a moiety selected from the group consisting of cyano, lower alkyl, hydroxy-lower alkyl, amino-lower alkyl, (4-methyl-piperazinyl)-lower alkyl, trifluoromethyl, hydroxy, lower alkoxy, lower alkanoyloxy, halogen, amino, lower alkylamino, di-lower alkylamino, lower alkanoylamino, benzoylamino, carboxy, lower alkoxycarbonyl, phenyl-lower alkyl wherein the phenyl radical is unsubstituted or substituted, a cycloalkyl or cycloalkenyl radical having up to 30 carbon atoms, cycloalkyl-lower alkyl or cycloalkenyl-lower alkyl each having up to 30 carbon atoms in the cycloalkyl or cycloalkenyl moiety, a monocyclic radical having 5 or 6 ring members and 1-3 ring hetero atoms selected from nitrogen, oxygen and sulfur, to which radical one or two benzene radicals may be fused, and lower alkyl substituted by a monocyclic radical; and

the remaining radicals of R₄, R₅, R₆, R₇ and R₈ that are not nitro, fluoro-substituted lower alkoxy or a radical of formula II are each independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, lower alkyl that is unsubstituted or substituted by free or alkylated amino, piperazinyl, piperidinyl, pyrrolidinyl or by morpholinyl, or lower alkanoyl, trifluoromethyl, free, etherified or esterifed hydroxy, free, alkylated or acylated amino or free or esterified carboxy.

Exemplary PTK inhibitor moieties include those moieties of Formula I wherein: R₁ is unsubstituted or C₁₋₇ alkyl-substituted pyridyl bonded at a ring carbon atom; R₂ is selected from the group consisting of H, methyl and ethyl; R₃ is selected from the group consisting of H, methyl and ethyl; only one of R₄, R₅, R₆, R₇ and R₈ is a radical of —N(R₉)—C(═Z)—(Y)_(n)—R₁₀ (Formula II), and the remaining of R₄, R₅, R₆, R₇ and R₈ are each independent selected from the group of hydrogen, methyl and ethyl, and further wherein, with respect to Formula II, R₉ is selected from the group consisting of H, methyl and ethyl, Z is oxo, (n) is 0, and R₁₀ is an aromatic radical (such as 2-naphthyl and phenyl) optionally substituted with cyano, hydroxyl, amino, and 4-methyl-piperazinyl substituted methyl.

In one or more embodiments of the invention, a compound is provided, the compound comprising a PTK inhibitor residue covalently attached via a stable or degradable linkage to a water-soluble, non-peptidic oligomer, wherein the PTK inhibitor is imatinib (4-[(4-methylpiperazin-1-ypmethyl]-N-[4-methyl-3-[(4-pyridin-3-ylpyrimidin-2-yl)amino]phenyl]benzamide), and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof including, but not limited to, the mesylate salt.

In some instances, PTK inhibitors can be obtained from commercial sources. In addition, PTK inhibitors can be obtained through chemical synthesis. Examples of PTK inhibitors as well as synthetic approaches for preparing PTK inhibitors are described in the literature and in, for example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,521,184. Each of these (and other) PTK inhibitors can be covalently attached (either directly or through one or more atoms) to a water-soluble, non-peptidic oligomer.

Exemplary compounds of the invention include those having the following structure:

wherein:

R₁ is 4-pyrazinyl, 1-methyl-1H-pyrrolyl, amino- or amino-lower alkyl-substituted phenyl wherein the amino group in each case is free, alkylated or acylated, 1H-indolyl or 1H-imidazolyl bonded at a five-membered ring carbon atom, or unsubstituted or lower alkyl-substituted pyridyl bonded at a ring carbon atom and unsubstituted or substituted at the nitrogen atom by oxygen;

R₂ and R₃ are each independently of the other hydrogen or lower alkyl;

one or two of the radicals R₄, R₅, R₆, R₇ and R₈ are each nitro, fluoro-substituted lower alkoxy or a radical of Formula II-C,

—N(R₉)—C(═Z)—(Y)_(n)—R₁₀—X-POLY  (Formula II-C),

wherein

R₉ is hydrogen or lower alkyl,

Z is oxo, thio, imino, N-lower alkyl-imino, hydroximino or O—lower alkyl-hydroximino,

Y is oxygen or —NH—,

n is 0 or 1,

R₁₀ is a bivalent aliphatic hydrocarbon radical having 5-22 carbon atoms, a phenyl or naphthyl radical, each of which is unsubstituted or substituted by a moiety selected from the group consisting of cyano, lower alkyl, hydroxy-lower alkyl, amino-lower alkyl, (4-methyl-piperazinyl)-lower alkyl, trifluoromethyl, hydroxy, lower alkoxy, lower alkanoyloxy, halogen, amino, lower alkylamino, di-lower alkylamino, lower alkanoylamino, benzoylamino, carboxy, lower alkoxycarbonyl, phenyl-lower alkyl wherein the phenyl radical is unsubstituted or substituted, a cycloalkyl or cycloalkenyl radical having up to 30 carbon atoms, cycloalkyl-lower alkyl or cycloalkenyl-lower alkyl each having up to 30 carbon atoms in the cycloalkyl or cycloalkenyl moiety, a monocyclic radical having 5 or 6 ring members and 1-3 ring hetero atoms selected from nitrogen, oxygen and sulfur, to which radical one or two benzene radicals may be fused, and lower alkyl substituted by a monocyclic radical,

X is a spacer moiety, and

POLY is a water-soluble, non-peptidic oligomer; and

the remaining radicals of R₄, R₅, R₆, R₇ and R₈ that are not nitro, fluoro-substituted lower alkoxy or a radical of formula II are each independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, lower alkyl that is unsubstituted or substituted by free or alkylated amino, piperazinyl, piperidinyl, pyrrolidinyl or by morpholinyl, or lower alkanoyl, trifluoromethyl, free, etherified or esterifed hydroxy, free, alkylated or acylated amino or free or esterified carboxy.

Exemplary compounds of the invention include those moieties of Formula I-C wherein: R₁ is unsubstituted or C₁₋₇ alkyl-substituted pyridyl bonded at a ring carbon atom; R₂ is selected from the group consisting of H, methyl and ethyl; R₃ is selected from the group consisting of H, methyl and ethyl; only one of R₄, R₅, R₆, R₇ and R₈ is a radical of —N(R₉)—C(═Z)—(Y)_(n)—R₁₀—X-POLY (Formula II-C), and the remaining of R₄, R₅, R₆, R₇ and R₈ are each independent selected from the group of hydrogen, methyl and ethyl, and further wherein, with respect to Formula II-C, R₉ is selected from the group consisting of H, methyl and ethyl, Z is oxo, (n) is 0, and R₁₀ is a bivalent aromatic radical (such as 2-naphthyl and phenyl) optionally substituted with cyano, hydroxyl, amino, and 4-methyl-piperazinyl substituted methyl, X is a spacer moiety, and POLY is a water-soluble, non-peptidic oligomer.

Further exemplary compounds of the invention are

wherein:

R₂ and R₃ are each independently of the other hydrogen or lower alkyl;

R₉ is hydrogen or lower alkyl,

Y is oxygen or —NH—,

n is 0 or 1,

R₁₀ is a bivalent aliphatic hydrocarbon radical having 5-22 carbon atoms, a phenyl or naphthyl radical, each of which is unsubstituted or substituted by a moiety selected from the group consisting of cyano, lower alkyl, hydroxy-lower alkyl, amino-lower alkyl, (4-methyl-piperazinyl)-lower alkyl, trifluoromethyl, hydroxy, lower alkoxy, lower alkanoyloxy, halogen, amino, lower alkylamino, di-lower alkylamino, lower alkanoylamino, benzoylamino, carboxy, lower alkoxycarbonyl, phenyl-lower alkyl wherein the phenyl radical is unsubstituted or substituted, a cycloalkyl or cycloalkenyl radical having up to 30 carbon atoms, cycloalkyl-lower alkyl or cycloalkenyl-lower alkyl each having up to 30 carbon atoms in the cycloalkyl or cycloalkenyl moiety, a monocyclic radical having 5 or 6 ring members and 1-3 ring hetero atoms selected from nitrogen, oxygen and sulfur, to which radical one or two benzene radicals may be fused, and lower alkyl substituted by a monocyclic radical,

X is a spacer moiety, and

POLY is a water-soluble, non-peptidic oligomer; and

each of R₄, R₆, R₇ and R₈ are each independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, lower alkyl, or lower alkanoyl, trifluoromethyl, free, etherified or esterifed hydroxy, free, alkylated or acylated amino or free or esterified carboxy.

Use of discrete oligomers (e.g., from a monodisperse or bimodal composition of oligomers, in contrast to relatively impure compositions) to form oligomer-containing compounds are preferred. For instance, a compound of the invention, when administered by any of a number of suitable administration routes, such as parenteral, oral, transdermal, buccal, pulmonary, or nasal, exhibits reduced penetration across the blood-brain barrier. It is preferred that the compounds of the invention exhibit slowed, minimal or effectively no crossing of the blood-brain barrier, while still crossing the gastro-intestinal (GI) walls and into the systemic circulation if oral delivery is intended. Moreover, the compounds of the invention maintain a degree of bioactivity as well as bioavailability in comparison to the bioactivity and bioavailability of the compound free of all oligomers.

With respect to the blood-brain barrier (“BBB”), this barrier restricts the transport of drugs from the blood to the brain. This barrier consists of a continuous layer of unique endothelial cells joined by tight junctions. The cerebral capillaries, which comprise more than 95% of the total surface area of the BBB, represent the principal route for the entry of most solutes and drugs into the central nervous system.

For compounds whose degree of blood-brain barrier crossing ability is not readily known, such ability may be determined using a suitable animal model such as an in situ rat brain perfusion (“RBP”) model as described herein. Briefly, the RBP technique involves cannulation of the carotid artery followed by perfusion with a compound solution under controlled conditions, followed by a wash out phase to remove compound remaining in the vascular space. (Such analyses may be conducted, for example, by contract research organizations such as Absorption Systems, Exton, Pa.). In one example of the RBP model, a cannula is placed in the left carotid artery and the side branches are tied off. A physiologic buffer containing the analyte (typically but not necessarily at a 5 micromolar concentration level) is perfused at a flow rate of about 10 mL/minute in a single pass perfusion experiment. After 30 seconds, the perfusion is stopped and the brain vascular contents are washed out with compound-free buffer for an additional 30 seconds. The brain tissue is then removed and analyzed for compound concentrations via liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry detection (LC/MS/MS). Alternatively, blood-brain barrier permeability can be estimated based upon a calculation of the compound's molecular polar surface area (“PSA”), which is defined as the sum of surface contributions of polar atoms (usually oxygens, nitrogens and attached hydrogens) in a molecule. The PSA has been shown to correlate with compound transport properties such as blood-brain barrier transport. Methods for determining a compound's PSA can be found in, e.g., Ertl et al. (2000) J. Med. Chem. 43:3714-3717 and Kelder (1999) Pharm. Res. 16:1514-1519.

With respect to the blood-brain barrier, the water-soluble, non-peptidic oligomer-small molecule drug conjugate exhibits a blood-brain barrier crossing rate that is reduced as compared to the crossing rate of the small molecule drug not attached to the water-soluble, non-peptidic oligomer. Exemplary reductions in blood-brain barrier crossing rates for the compounds described herein include reductions of: at least about 5%; at least about 10%; at least about 25%; at least about 30%; at least about 40%; at least about 50%; at least about 60%; at least about 70%; at least about 80%; or at least about 90%, when compared to the blood-brain barrier crossing rate of the small molecule drug not attached to the water-soluble oligomer. A preferred reduction in the blood-brain barrier crossing rate for a conjugate of the invention is at least about 20%.

Assays for determining whether a given compound (regardless of whether the compound includes a water-soluble, non-peptidic oligomer) can act as a PTK inhibitor are known and/or may be prepared by one of ordinary skill in the art and are further described herein.

Briefly, however, an exemplary method for determining whether a given compound (regardless of whether the compound includes a water-soluble, nonpeptidic oligomer) can inhibit the enzyme protein kinase C, involves obtaining protein kinase C from pig brain and purifying it in accordance with the procedure described by Uchida et al. (1984) J. Biol. Chem. 259:12311-4. The protein kinase C-inhibiting activity of a given compound can be determined following the approach described in Fabbro et al. (1985) Arch. Biochem. Biophys. 239:102-111.

Each of these (and other) PTK inhibitor moieties can be covalently attached (either directly or through one or more atoms) to a water-soluble, non-peptidic oligomer.

Exemplary molecular weights of a small molecule PTK inhibitor moiety (prior to including a water-soluble, non-peptidic oliogmer) include molecular weights of: less than about 950; less than about 900; less than about 850; less than about 800; less than about 750; less than about 700; less than about 650; less than about 600; less than about 550; less than about 500; less than about 450; less than about 400; less than about 350; and less than about 300 Daltons.

The small molecule drug used in the invention, if chiral, may be obtained from a racemic mixture, or an optically active form, for example, a single optically active enantiomer, or any combination or ratio of enantiomers (e.g., scalemic and racemic mixtures). In addition, the small molecule drug may possess one or more geometric isomers. With respect to geometric isomers, a composition can comprise a single geometric isomer or a mixture of two or more geometric isomers. A small molecule drug for use in the present invention can be in its customary active form, or may possess some degree of modification. For example, a small molecule drug may have a targeting agent, tag, or transporter attached thereto, prior to or after covalent attachment of an oligomer. Alternatively, the small molecule drug may possess a lipophilic moiety attached thereto, such as a phospholipid (e.g., distearoylphosphatidylethanolamine or “DSPE,” dipalmitoylphosphatidylethanolamine or “DPPE,” and so forth) or a small fatty acid. In some instances, however, it is preferred that the small molecule drug moiety does not include attachment to a lipophilic moiety.

The PTK inhibitor moiety for coupling to a water-soluble, non-peptidic oligomer possesses a free hydroxyl, carboxyl, thio, amino group, or the like (i.e., “handle”) suitable for covalent attachment to the oligomer. In addition, the PTK inhibitor moiety may be modified by introduction of a reactive group, preferably by conversion of one of its existing functional groups to a functional group suitable for formation of a stable covalent linkage between the oligomer and the drug.

Each oligomer is composed of up to three different monomer types selected from the group consisting of: alkylene oxide, such as ethylene oxide or propylene oxide; olefinic alcohol, such as vinyl alcohol, 1-propenol or 2-propenol; vinyl pyrrolidone; hydroxyalkyl methacrylamide or hydroxyalkyl methacrylate, where alkyl is preferably methyl; α-hydroxy acid, such as lactic acid or glycolic acid; phosphazene, oxazoline, amino acids, carbohydrates such as monosaccharides, alditol such as mannitol; and N-acryloylmorpholine. Preferred monomer types include alkylene oxide, olefinic alcohol, hydroxyalkyl methacrylamide or methacrylate, N-acryloylmorpholine, and a-hydroxy acid. Preferably, each oligomer is, independently, a co-oligomer of two monomer types selected from this group, or, more preferably, is a homo-oligomer of one monomer type selected from this group.

The two monomer types in a co-oligomer may be of the same monomer type, for example, two alkylene oxides, such as ethylene oxide and propylene oxide. Preferably, the oligomer is a homo-oligomer of ethylene oxide. Usually, although not necessarily, the terminus (or termini) of the oligomer that is not covalently attached to a small molecule is capped to render it unreactive. Alternatively, the terminus may include a reactive group. When the terminus is a reactive group, the reactive group is either selected such that it is unreactive under the conditions of formation of the final oligomer or during covalent attachment of the oligomer to a small molecule drug, or it is protected as necessary. One common end-functional group is hydroxyl or —OH, particularly for oligoethylene oxides.

The water-soluble, non-peptidic oligomer (e.g., “POLY” in various structures provided herein) can have any of a number of different geometries. For example, the water-soluble, non-peptidic oligomer can be linear, branched, or forked. Most typically, the water-soluble, non-peptidic oligomer is linear or is branched, for example, having one branch point. Although much of the discussion herein is focused upon poly(ethylene oxide) as an illustrative oligomer, the discussion and structures presented herein can be readily extended to encompass any water-soluble, non-peptidic oligomers described above.

The molecular weight of the water-soluble, non-peptidic oligomer, excluding the linker portion, is generally relatively low. Exemplary values of the molecular weight of the water-soluble polymer include: below about 1500; below about 1450; below about 1400; below about 1350; below about 1300; below about 1250; below about 1200; below about 1150; below about 1100; below about 1050; below about 1000; below about 950; below about 900; below about 850; below about 800; below about 750; below about 700; below about 650; below about 600; below about 550; below about 500; below about 450; below about 400; below about 350; below about 300; below about 250; below about 200; and below about 100 Daltons.

Exemplary ranges of molecular weights of the water-soluble, non-peptidic oligomer (excluding the linker) include: from about 100 to about 1400 Daltons; from about 100 to about 1200 Daltons; from about 100 to about 800 Daltons; from about 100 to about 500 Daltons; from about 100 to about 400 Daltons; from about 200 to about 500 Daltons; from about 200 to about 400 Daltons; from about 75 to 1000 Daltons; and from about 75 to about 750 Daltons.

Preferably, the number of monomers in the water-soluble, non-peptidic oligomer falls within one or more of the following ranges: between about 1 and about 30 (inclusive); between about 1 and about 25; between about 1 and about 20; between about 1 and about 15; between about 1 and about 12; between about 1 and about 10. In certain instances, the number of monomers in series in the oligomer (and the corresponding conjugate) is one of 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, or 8. In additional embodiments, the oligomer (and the corresponding conjugate) contains 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, or 20 monomers. In yet further embodiments, the oligomer (and the corresponding conjugate) possesses 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29 or 30 monomers in series. Thus, for example, when the water-soluble, non-peptidic polymer includes CH₃—(OCH₂CH₂)_(n)—, “n” is an integer that can be 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29 or 30, and can fall within one or more of the following ranges: between about 1 and about 25; between about 1 and about 20; between about 1 and about 15; between about 1 and about 12; between about 1 and about 10.

When the water-soluble, non-peptidic oligomer has 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, or 10 monomers, these values correspond to a methoxy end-capped oligo(ethylene oxide) having a molecular weights of about 75, 119, 163, 207, 251, 295, 339, 383, 427, and 471 Daltons, respectively. When the oligomer has 11, 12, 13, 14, or 15 monomers, these values correspond to methoxy end-capped oligo(ethylene oxide) having molecular weights corresponding to about 515, 559, 603, 647, and 691 Daltons, respectively.

When the water-soluble, non-peptidic oligomer is attached to the PTK inhibitor (in contrast to the step-wise addition of one or more monomers to effectively “grow” the oligomer onto the PTK inhibitor), it is preferred that the composition containing an activated form of the water-soluble, non-peptidic oligomer be monodisperse. In those instances, however, where a bimodal composition is employed, the composition will possess a bimodal distribution centering around any two of the above numbers of monomers. For instance, a bimodal oligomer may have any one of the following exemplary combinations of monomer subunits: 1-2, 1-3, 1-4, 1-5, 1-6, 1-7, 1-8, 1-9, 1-10, and so forth; 2-3, 2-4, 2-5, 2-6, 2-7, 2-8, 2-9, 2-10, and so forth; 3-4, 3-5, 3-6, 3-7, 3-8, 3-9, 3-10, and so forth; 4-5, 4-6, 4-7, 4-8, 4-9, 4-10, and so forth; 5-6, 5-7, 5-8, 5-9, 5-10, and so forth; 6-7, 6-8, 6-9, 6-10, and so forth; 7-8, 7-9, 7-10, and so forth; and 8-9, 8-10, and so forth.

In some instances, the composition containing an activated form of the water-soluble, non-peptidic oligomer will be trimodal or even tetramodal, possessing a range of monomers units as previously described. Oligomer compositions possessing a well-defined mixture of oligomers (i.e., being bimodal, trimodal, tetramodal, and so forth) can be prepared by mixing purified monodisperse oligomers to obtain a desired profile of oligomers (a mixture of two oligomers differing only in the number of monomers is bimodal; a mixture of three oligomers differing only in the number of monomers is trimodal; a mixture of four oligomers differing only in the number of monomers is tetramodal), or alternatively, can be obtained from column chromatography of a polydisperse oligomer by recovering the “center cut”, to obtain a mixture of oligomers in a desired and defined molecular weight range.

It is preferred that the water-soluble, non-peptidic oligomer is obtained from a composition that is preferably unimolecular or monodisperse. That is, the oligomers in the composition possess the same discrete molecular weight value rather than a distribution of molecular weights. Some monodisperse oligomers can be purchased from commercial sources such as those available from Sigma-Aldrich, or alternatively, can be prepared directly from commercially available starting materials such as Sigma-Aldrich. Water-soluble, non-peptidic oligomers can be prepared as described in Chen Y., Baker, G. L., J. Org. Chem., 6870-6873 (1999), WO 02/098949, and U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2005/0136031.

When present, the spacer moiety (through which the water-soluble, non-peptidic polymer is attached to the PTK inhibitor moiety) may be a single bond, a single atom, such as an oxygen atom or a sulfur atom, two atoms, or a number of atoms. A spacer moiety is typically but is not necessarily linear in nature. The spacer moiety, “X,” is hydrolytically stable, and is preferably also enzymatically stable. Preferably, the spacer moiety “X” is one having a chain length of less than about 12 atoms, and preferably less than about 10 atoms, and even more preferably less than about 8 atoms and even more preferably less than about 5 atoms, whereby length is meant the number of atoms in a single chain, not counting substituents. For instance, a urea linkage such as this, R_(oligomer)—NH—(C═O)—NH—R′_(drug), is considered to have a chain length of 3 atoms (—NH—C(O)—NH—). In selected embodiments, the linkage does not comprise further spacer groups.

In some instances, the spacer moiety “X” comprises an ether, amide, urethane, amine, thioether, urea, or a carbon-carbon bond. Functional groups such as those discussed below, and illustrated in the examples, are typically used for forming the linkages. The spacer moiety may less preferably also comprise (or be adjacent to or flanked by) other atoms, as described further below.

More specifically, in selected embodiments, a spacer moiety of the invention, X, may be any of the following: “—” (i.e., a covalent bond, that may be stable or degradable, between the PTK inhibitor residue and the water-soluble, non-peptidic oligomer), —O—, —NH—, —S—, —C(O)—, —C(O)O—, —OC(O)—, —CH₂—C(O)O—, —CH₂—OC(O)—, —C (O)O—O—CH₂—, —OC(O)—CH₂—, C(O)—NH, NH—C(O)—NH, O—C(O)—NH, —C(S)—, —CH₂—, —CH₂—CH₂—, —CH₂—CH₂—CH₂—, —CH₂—CH₂—CH₂—CH₂—, —O—CH₂—, —CH₂—O—, —O—CH₂—CH₂—, —CH₂—O—CH₂—, —CH₂—CH₂—O—, —O—CH₂—CH₂—CH₂—, —CH₂—O—CH₂—CH₂—, —CH₂—CH₂—O—CH₂—, —CH₂—CH₂—CH₂—O—, —O—CH₂—CH₂—CH₂—CH₂—, —CH₂—O—CH₂—CH₂—CH₂—, —CH₂—CH₂—O—CH₂—CH₂—, —CH₂—CH₂—CH₂—O—CH₂—, —CH₂—CH₂—CH₂—CH₂—O—, —C(O)—NH—CH₂—, —C(O)—NH—CH₂—CH₂—, —CH₂—C(O)—NH—CH₂—, —CH₂—CH₂—C(O)—NH—, —C(O)—NH—CH₂—CH₂—CH₂—, —CH₂—C(O)—NH—CH₂—CH₂—, —CH₂—CH₂—C(O)—NH—CH₂—, —CH₂—CH₂—CH₂—C(O)—NH—, —C(O)—NH—CH₂—CH₂—CH₂—CH₂—, —CH₂—C(O)—NH—CH₂—CH₂—CH₂—, —CH₂—CH₂—C(O)—NH—CH₂—CH₂—, —CH₂—CH₂—CH₂—C(O)—NH—CH₂—, —CH₂—CH₂—CH₂—C(O)—NH—CH₂—CH₂—, —CH₂—CH₂—CH₂—CH₂—C(O)—NH—NH—C(O)—CH₂—, —CH₂—NH—C(O)—CH₂—, —CH₂—CH₂—NH—C(O)—CH₂—, —NH—C(O)—CH₂—CH₂—, —CH₂—NH—C(O)—CH₂—CH₂, —CH₂—CH₂—NH—C(O)—CH₂—CH₂, —C(O)—NH—CH₂—, —C(O)—NH—CH₂—CH₂—, —O—C(O)—NH—CH₂—, —O—C(O)—NH—CH₂—CH₂—, —NH—CH₂—, —NH—CH₂—CH₂—, —CH₂—NH—CH₂—, —CH₂—O—12—NH—CH₂—, —C(O)—CH₂—, —C(O)—CH₂—CH₂—, —CH₂—C(O)—CH₂—, —CH₂—CH₂—C(O)—CH₂—, —CH₂—CH₂—C(O)—CH₂—CH₂—, —CH₂—CH₂—C(O)—, —CH₂—CH₂—CH₂—C(O)—NH—CH₂—CH₂—NH—, —CH₂—CH₂—CH₂—C(O)—NH—CH₂—CH₂—NH—C(O)—, —CH₂—CH₂—CH₂—C(O)—NH—CH₂—CH₂—NH—C(O)—CH₂—, bivalent cycloalkyl group, —N(R⁶)—, R⁶ is H or an organic radical selected from the group consisting of alkyl, substituted alkyl, alkenyl, substituted alkenyl, alkynyl, substituted alkynyl, aryl and substituted aryl. Additional spacer moieties include, acylamino, acyl, aryloxy, alkylene bridge containing between 1 and 5 inclusive carbon atoms, alkylamino, dialkylamino having about 2 to 4 inclusive carbon atoms, piperidino, pyrrolidino, N-(lower alkyl)-2—piperidyl, morpholino, 1-piperizinyl, 4-(lower alkyl)-1-piperizinyl, 4-(hydroxyl-lower alkyl)-1-piperizinyl, 4-(methoxy-lower alkyl)-1-piperizinyl, and guanidine. In some instances, a portion or a functional group of the drug compound may be modified or removed altogether to facilitate attachment of the oligomer. In some instances, it is preferred that X is not an amide, i.e., —CONR— or —RNCO—).

For purposes of the present invention, however, a group of atoms is not considered a linkage when it is immediately adjacent to an oligomer segment, and the group of atoms is the same as a monomer of the oligomer such that the group would represent a mere extension of the oligomer chain.

The linkage “X” between the water-soluble, non-peptidic oligomer and the small molecule is formed by reaction of a functional group on a terminus of the oligomer (or nascent oligomer when it is desired to “grow” the oligomer onto the PTK inhibitor) with a corresponding functional group within the PTK inhibitor. Illustrative reactions are described briefly below. For example, an amino group on an oligomer may be reacted with a carboxylic acid or an activated carboxylic acid derivative on the small molecule, or vice versa, to produce an amide linkage. Alternatively, reaction of an amine on an oligomer with an activated carbonate (e.g., succinimidyl or benzotriazolyl carbonate) on the drug, or vice versa, forms a carbamate linkage. Reaction of an amine on an oligomer with an isocyanate (R—N═C═O) on a drug, or vice versa, forms a urea linkage (R—NH—(C═O)—NH—R′). Further, reaction of an alcohol (alkoxide) group on an oligomer with an alkyl halide, or halide group within a drug, or vice versa, forms an ether linkage. In yet another coupling approach, a small molecule having an aldehyde function is coupled to an oligomer amino group by reductive amination, resulting in formation of a secondary amine linkage between the oligomer and the small molecule.

A particularly preferred water-soluble, non-peptidic oligomer is an oligomer bearing an aldehyde functional group. In this regard, the oligomer will have the following structure: CH₃O—(CH₂—CH₂—O)_(n)—(CH₂)_(p)—C(O)H, wherein (n) is one of 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 and 10 and (p) is one of 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7. Preferred (n) values include 3, 5 and 7 and preferred (p) values 2, 3 and 4.

The termini of the water-soluble, non-peptidic oligomer not bearing a functional group may be capped to render it unreactive. When the oligomer includes a further functional group at a terminus other than that intended for formation of a conjugate, that group is either selected such that it is unreactive under the conditions of formation of the linkage “X,” or it is protected during the formation of the linkage “X.”

As stated above, the water-soluble, non-peptidic oligomer includes at least one functional group prior to conjugation. The functional group comprises an electrophilic or nucleophilic group for covalent attachment to a small molecule, depending upon the reactive group contained within or introduced into the small molecule. Examples of nucleophilic groups that may be present in either the oligomer or the small molecule include hydroxyl, amine, hydrazine (—NHNH₂), hydrazide (—C(O)NHNH₂), and thiol. Preferred nucleophiles include amine, hydrazine, hydrazide, and thiol, particularly amine. Most small molecule drugs for covalent attachment to an oligomer will possess a free hydroxyl, amino, thio, aldehyde, ketone, or carboxyl group.

Examples of electrophilic functional groups that may be present in either the oligomer or the small molecule include carboxylic acid, carboxylic ester, particularly imide esters, orthoester, carbonate, isocyanate, isothiocyanate, aldehyde, ketone, thione, alkenyl, acrylate, methacrylate, acrylamide, sulfone, maleimide, disulfide, iodo, epoxy, sulfonate, thiosulfonate, silane, alkoxysilane, and halosilane. More specific examples of these groups include succinimidyl ester or carbonate, imidazoyl ester or carbonate, benzotriazole ester or carbonate, vinyl sulfone, chloroethylsulfone, vinylpyridine, pyridyl disulfide, iodoacetamide, glyoxal, dione, mesylate, tosylate, and tresylate (2,2,2-trifluoroethanesulfonate).

Also included are sulfur analogs of several of these groups, such as thione, thione hydrate, thioketal, 2-thiazolidine thione, etc., as well as hydrates or protected derivatives of any of the above moieties (e.g., aldehyde hydrate, hemiacetal, acetal, ketone hydrate, hemiketal, ketal, thioketal, thioacetal).

An “activated derivative” of a carboxylic acid refers to a carboxylic acid derivative that reacts readily with nucleophiles, generally much more readily than the underivatized carboxylic acid. Activated carboxylic acids include, for example, acid halides (such as acid chlorides), anhydrides, carbonates, and esters. Such esters include imide esters, of the general form —(CO)O—N[(CO)—]₂; for example, N-hydroxysuccinimidyl (NHS) esters or N-hydroxyphthalimidyl esters. Also preferred are imidazolyl esters and benzotriazole esters. Particularly preferred are activated propionic acid or butanoic acid esters, as described in co-owned U.S. Pat. No. 5,672,662. These include groups of the form —(CH₂)₂₋₃C(═O)O-Q, where Q is preferably selected from N-succinimide, N-sulfosuccinimide, N-phthalimide, N-glutarimide, N-tetrahydrophthalimide, N-norbomene-2,3-dicarboximide, benzotriazole, 7-azabenzotriazole, and imidazole.

Other preferred electrophilic groups include succinimidyl carbonate, maleimide, benzotriazole carbonate, glycidyl ether, imidazoyl carbonate, p-nitrophenyl carbonate, acrylate, tresylate, aldehyde, and orthopyridyl disulfide.

These electrophilic groups are subject to reaction with nucleophiles, e.g., hydroxy, thio, or amino groups, to produce various bond types. Preferred for the present invention are reactions which favor formation of a hydrolytically stable linkage. For example, carboxylic acids and activated derivatives thereof, which include orthoesters, succinimidyl esters, imidazolyl esters, and benzotriazole esters, react with the above types of nucleophiles to form esters, thioesters, and amides, respectively, of which amides are the most hydrolytically stable. Carbonates, including succinimidyl, imidazolyl, and benzotriazole carbonates, react with amino groups to form carbamates. Isocyanates (R—N═C═O) react with hydroxyl or amino groups to form, respectively, carbamate (RNH—C(O)—OR′) or urea (RNH—C(O)—NHR′) linkages. Aldehydes, ketones, glyoxals, diones and their hydrates or alcohol adducts (i.e., aldehyde hydrate, hemiacetal, acetal, ketone hydrate, hemiketal, and ketal) are preferably reacted with amines, followed by reduction of the resulting imine, if desired, to provide an amine linkage (reductive amination).

Several of the electrophilic functional groups include electrophilic double bonds to which nucleophilic groups, such as thiols, can be added, to form, for example, thioether bonds. These groups include maleimides, vinyl sulfones, vinyl pyridine, acrylates, methacrylates, and acrylamides. Other groups comprise leaving groups that can be displaced by a nucleophile; these include chloroethyl sulfone, pyridyl disulfides (which include a cleavable S—S bond), iodoacetamide, mesylate, tosylate, thiosulfonate, and tresylate. Epoxides react by ring opening by a nucleophile, to form, for example, an ether or amine bond. Reactions involving complementary reactive groups such as those noted above on the oligomer and the small molecule are utilized to prepare the conjugates of the invention.

In some instances the PTK inhibitor may not have a functional group suited for conjugation. In this instance, it is possible to modify (or “functionalize”) the “original” PTK inhibitor so that it does have a functional group suited for conjugation. For example, if the PTK inhibitor has an amide group, but an amine group is desired, it is possible to modify the amide group to an amine group by way of a Hofmann rearrangement, Curtius rearrangement (once the amide is converted to an azide) or Lossen rearrangement (once amide is concerted to hydroxamide followed by treatment with tolyene-2-sulfonyl chloride/base).

It is possible to prepare a conjugate of small molecule PTK inhibitor bearing a carboxyl group wherein the carboxyl group-bearing small molecule PTK inhibitor is coupled to an amino-terminated oligomeric ethylene glycol, to provide a conjugate having an amide group covalently linking the small molecule PTK inhibitor to the oligomer. This can be performed, for example, by combining the carboxyl group-bearing small molecule PTK inhibitor with the amino-terminated oligomeric ethylene glycol in the presence of a coupling reagent, (such as dicyclohexylcarbodiimide or “DCC”) in an anhydrous organic solvent.

Further, it is possible to prepare a conjugate of a small molecule PTK inhibitor bearing a hydroxyl group wherein the hydroxyl group-bearing small molecule PTK inhibitor is coupled to an oligomeric ethylene glycol halide to result in an ether (—O—) linked small molecule conjugate. This can be performed, for example, by using sodium hydride to deprotonate the hydroxyl group followed by reaction with a halide-terminated oligomeric ethylene glycol.

Further, it is possible to prepare a conjugate of a small molecule PTK inhibitor moiety bearing a hydroxyl group wherein the hydroxyl group-bearing small molecule PTK inhibitor moiety is coupled to an oligomeric ethylene glycol bearing an haloformate group [e.g., CH₃(OCH₂CH₂)_(n)OC(O)-halo, where halo is chloro, bromo, iodo] to result in a carbonate [—O—C(O)—O—] linked small molecule conjugate. This can be performed, for example, by combining a PTK inhibitor moiety and an oligomeric ethylene glycol bearing a haloformate group in the presence of a nucleophilic catalyst (such as 4-dimethylaminopyridine or “DMAP”) to thereby result in the corresponding carbonate-linked conjugate.

In another example, it is possible to prepare a conjugate of a small molecule PTK inhibitor bearing a ketone group by first reducing the ketone group to form the corresponding hydroxyl group. Thereafter, the small molecule PTK inhibitor now bearing a hydroxyl group can be coupled as described herein.

In still another instance, it is possible to prepare a conjugate of a small molecule PTK inhibitor bearing an amine group. In one approach, the amine group-bearing small molecule PTK inhibitor and an aldehyde-bearing oligomer are dissolved in a suitable buffer after which a suitable reducing agent (e.g., NaCNBH₃) is added. Following reduction, the result is an amine linkage formed between the amine group of the amine group-containing small molecule PTK inhibitor and the carbonyl carbon of the aldehyde-bearing oligomer.

In another approach for preparing a conjugate of a small molecule PTK inhibitor bearing an amine group, a carboxylic acid-bearing oligomer and the amine group-bearing small molecule PTK inhibitor are combined, in the presence of a coupling reagent (e.g., DCC). The result is an amide linkage formed between the amine group of the amine group-containing small molecule PTK inhibitor and the carbonyl of the carboxylic acid-bearing oligomer.

While it is believed that the full scope of the conjugates disclosed herein behave as described, an optimally sized oligomer can be identified as follows.

First, an oligomer obtained from a monodisperse or bimodal water soluble oligomer is conjugated to the small molecule drug. Preferably, the drug is orally bioavailable, and on its own, exhibits a non-negligible blood-brain barrier crossing rate. Next, the ability of the conjugate to cross the blood-brain barrier is determined using an appropriate model and compared to that of the unmodified parent drug. If the results are favorable, that is to say, if, for example, the rate of crossing is significantly reduced, then the bioactivity of conjugate is further evaluated. Preferably, the compounds according to the invention maintain a significant degree of bioactivity relative to the parent drug, i.e., greater than about 30% of the bioactivity of the parent drug, or even more preferably, greater than about 50% of the bioactivity of the parent drug.

The above steps are repeated one or more times using oligomers of the same monomer type but having a different number of subunits and the results compared.

For each conjugate whose ability to cross the blood-brain barrier is reduced in comparison to the non-conjugated small molecule drug, its oral bioavailability is then assessed. Based upon these results, that is to say, based upon the comparison of conjugates of oligomers of varying size to a given small molecule at a given position or location within the small molecule, it is possible to determine the size of the oligomer most effective in providing a conjugate having an optimal balance between reduction in biological membrane crossing, oral bioavailability, and bioactivity. The small size of the oligomers makes such screenings feasible and allows one to effectively tailor the properties of the resulting conjugate. By making small, incremental changes in oligomer size and utilizing an experimental design approach, one can effectively identify a conjugate having a favorable balance of reduction in biological membrane crossing rate, bioactivity, and oral bioavailability. In some instances, attachment of an oligomer as described herein is effective to actually increase oral bioavailability of the drug.

For example, one of ordinary skill in the art, using routine experimentation, can determine a best suited molecular size and linkage for improving oral bioavailability by first preparing a series of oligomers with different weights and functional groups and then obtaining the necessary clearance profiles by administering the conjugates to a patient and taking periodic blood and/or urine sampling. Once a series of clearance profiles have been obtained for each tested conjugate, a suitable conjugate can be identified.

Animal models (rodents and dogs) can also be used to study oral drug transport. In addition, non-in vivo methods include rodent everted gut excised tissue and Caco-2 cell monolayer tissue-culture models. These models are useful in predicting oral drug bioavailability.

To determine whether the PTK inhibitor or the conjugate of a PTK inhibitor and a water-soluble, non-peptidic oligomer has activity as a PTK inhibitor therapeutic, it is possible to test such a compound. The PTK inhibitor compounds may be tested using in vitro binding studies to receptors using various cell lines expressing these receptors that have become routine in pharmaceutical industry and described herein.

Enzyme Assay. The assays may be carried out using the protein tyrosine kinases Lck, Fyn, Lyn, lick, Fgr, Src, Blk and Yes.

The particular protein tyrosine kinase of interest is incubated in kinase buffer (20 mM MOPS, pH7, 10 mM MgCl₂) in the presence of the test compound. The reaction is initiated by the addition of substrates to the final concentration of 1 μM ATP, 3.3 μCi/ml [³³P] gamma-ATP, and 0.1 mg/ml acid denatured enolase (prepared as described in Cooper et al. (1984) J. Biol. Chem. 259:7835-7841). The reaction is stopped after ten minutes by the addition of 10% trichloroacetic acid, 100 mM sodium pyrophosphate followed by 2 mg/ml bovine serum albumin. The labeled enolase protein substrate is precipitated at 4° C., harvested onto Packard Unifilter plates and counted in a scintillation counter to ascertain the protein tyrosine kinase inhibitory activity of the test conjugate (activity inversely proportional to the amount of labeled enolase protein obtained). The exact concentration of reagents and the amount of label can be varied as needed.

Enzyme Assay Using HER1 or HER2. Conjugates of interest are assayed in a kinase buffer that containing 20 mM Tris.HCl, pH 7.5, 10 mM MnCl₂, 0.5 mM dithiothreitol, bovine serum albumin at 0.1 mg/ml, poly(glu/tyr, 4:1) at 0.1 mg/ml, 1 μM ATP, and 4 μCi/ml [gamma³³P]ATP. Poly(glu/tyr, 4:1) is a synthetic polymer that serves as a phosphoryl acceptor and is purchased from Sigma Chemicals. The kinase reaction is initiated by the addition of enzyme and the reaction mixtures are incubated at 26° C. for one hour. The reaction is terminated by the addition of EDTA to 50 mM and proteins are precipitated by the addition of trichloroacetic acid to 5%. The precipitated proteins are recovered by filtration onto Packard Unifilter plates and the amount of radioactivity incorporated is measured in a Topcount scintillation counter.

Cell Assays. Cellular Tyrosine Phosphorylation. Jurkat T cells are incubated with the test compound and then stimulated by the addition of antibody to CD3 (monoclonal antibody G19-4). Cells are lysed after four minutes or at another desired time by the addition of a lysis buffer containing NP-40 detergent. Phosphorylation of proteins is detected by anti-phosphotyrosine immunoblotting. Detection of phosphorylation of specific proteins of interest such as ZAP-70 is detected by immunoprecipitation with anti-ZAP-70 antibody followed by anti-phosphotyrosine immunoblotting. Such procedures are described in Schieven et al. (1994) Journal of Biological Chemistry 269:20718-20726 and the references incorporated therein. The Lck inhibitors inhibit the tyrosine phosphorylation of cellular proteins induced by anti-CD3 antibodies.

Calcium Assay. Lck inhibitors block calcium mobilization in T cells stimulated with anti-CD3 antibodies. Cells are loaded with the calcium indicator dye, such as indo-1, treated with anti-CD3 antibody such as the monoclonal antibody G19-4, and calcium mobilization is measured using flow cytometry by recording changes in the blue/violet indo-1 ratio as described in Schieven et al. (supra).

Proliferation Assays: Lck inhibitors inhibit the proliferation of normal human peripheral blood T cells stimulated to grow with anti-CD3 plus anti-CD28 antibodies. A 96 well plate is coated with a monoclonal antibody to CD3 (such as G19-4), the antibody is allowed to bind, and then the plate is washed. The antibody bound to the plate serves to stimulate the cells. Normal human peripheral blood T cells are added to the wells along with test compound plus anti-CD28 antibody to provide co-stimulation. After a desired period of time (e.g., 3 days), the [³H]-thymidine is added to the cells, and after further incubation to allow incorporation of the label into newly synthesized DNA, the cells are harvested and counted in a scintillation counter to measure cell proliferation.

The compounds of the invention may be tested in animal models of cancers to determine their cancer-inhibition potential.

Other assays include tumor regression assays in animal models, as described in, for example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,521,184.

The compounds of the invention may be administered per se or in the form of a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, and any reference to the compounds of the invention herein is intended to include pharmaceutically acceptable salts. If used, a salt of a compound as described herein should be both pharmacologically and pharmaceutically acceptable, but non-pharmaceutically acceptable salts may conveniently be used to prepare the free active compound or pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof and are not excluded from the scope of this invention. Such pharmacologically and pharmaceutically acceptable salts can be prepared by reaction of the compound with an organic or inorganic acid, using standard methods detailed in the literature. Examples of useful salts include, but are not limited to, those prepared from the following acids: hydrochloric, hydrobromic, sulfuric, nitric, phosphoric, maleic, acetic, salicyclic, p-toluenesulfonic, tartaric, citric, methanesulfonic, formic, malonic, succinic, naphthalene-2-sulphonic and benzenesulphonic, and the like. Also, pharmaceutically acceptable salts can be prepared as alkaline metal or alkaline earth salts, such as sodium, potassium, or calcium salts of a carboxylic acid group.

The present invention also includes pharmaceutical preparations comprising a compound as provided herein in combination with a pharmaceutical excipient. Generally, the compound itself will be in a solid form (e.g., a precipitate), which can be combined with a suitable pharmaceutical excipient that can be in either solid or liquid form.

Exemplary excipients include, without limitation, those selected from the group consisting of carbohydrates, inorganic salts, antimicrobial agents, antioxidants, surfactants, buffers, acids, bases, and combinations thereof.

A carbohydrate such as a sugar, a derivatized sugar such as an alditol, aldonic acid, an esterified sugar, and/or a sugar polymer may be present as an excipient. Specific carbohydrate excipients include, for example: monosaccharides, such as fructose, maltose, galactose, glucose, D-mannose, sorbose, and the like; disaccharides, such as lactose, sucrose, trehalose, cellobiose, and the like; polysaccharides, such as raffinose, melezitose, maltodextrins, dextrans, starches, and the like; and alditols, such as mannitol, maltitol, lactitol, xylitol, sorbitol, myoinositol, and the like.

The excipient can also include an inorganic salt or buffer such as citric acid, sodium chloride, potassium chloride, sodium sulfate, potassium nitrate, sodium phosphate monobasic, sodium phosphate dibasic, and combinations thereof.

The preparation may also include an antimicrobial agent for preventing or deterring microbial growth. Nonlimiting examples of antimicrobial agents suitable for the present invention include benzalkonium chloride, benzethonium chloride, benzyl alcohol, cetylpyridinium chloride, chlorobutanol, phenol, phenylethyl alcohol, phenylmercuric nitrate, thimersol, and combinations thereof.

An antioxidant can be present in the preparation as well. Antioxidants are used to prevent oxidation, thereby preventing the deterioration of the conjugate or other components of the preparation. Suitable antioxidants for use in the present invention include, for example, ascorbyl palmitate, butylated hydroxyanisole, butylated hydroxytoluene, hypophosphorous acid, monothioglycerol, propyl gallate, sodium bisulfite, sodium formaldehyde sulfoxylate, sodium metabisulfite, and combinations thereof.

A surfactant may be present as an excipient. Exemplary surfactants include: polysorbates, such as “Tween 20” and “Tween 80,” and pluronics such as F68 and F88 (both of which are available from BASF, Mount Olive, N.J.); sorbitan esters; lipids, such as phospholipids such as lecithin and other phosphatidylcholines, phosphatidylethanolamines, fatty acids and fatty esters; steroids, such as cholesterol; and chelating agents, such as EDTA, zinc and other such suitable cations.

Pharmaceutically acceptable acids or bases may be present as an excipient in the preparation. Nonlimiting examples of acids that can be used include those acids selected from the group consisting of hydrochloric acid, acetic acid, phosphoric acid, citric acid, malic acid, lactic acid, formic acid, trichloroacetic acid, nitric acid, perchloric acid, phosphoric acid, sulfuric acid, fumaric acid, and combinations thereof. Examples of suitable bases include, without limitation, bases selected from the group consisting of sodium hydroxide, sodium acetate, ammonium hydroxide, potassium hydroxide, ammonium acetate, potassium acetate, sodium phosphate, potassium phosphate, sodium citrate, sodium formate, sodium sulfate, potassium sulfate, potassium fumerate, and combinations thereof.

The amount of the conjugate in the composition will vary depending on a number of factors, but will optimally be a therapeutically effective dose when the composition is stored in a unit dose container. A therapeutically effective dose can be determined experimentally by repeated administration of increasing amounts of the conjugate in order to determine which amount produces a clinically desired endpoint.

The amount of any individual excipient in the composition will vary depending on the activity of the excipient and particular needs of the composition. The optimal amount of any individual excipient is determined through routine experimentation, i.e., by preparing compositions containing varying amounts of the excipient (ranging from low to high), examining the stability and other parameters, and then determining the range at which optimal performance is attained with no significant adverse effects.

Generally, however, excipients will be present in the composition in an amount of about 1% to about 99% by weight, preferably from about 5%-98% by weight, more preferably from about 15-95% by weight of the excipient, with concentrations less than 30% by weight most preferred.

These foregoing pharmaceutical excipients along with other excipients and general teachings regarding pharmaceutical compositions are described in “Remington: The Science & Practice of Pharmacy”, 19^(th) ed., Williams & Williams, (1995), the “Physician's Desk Reference”, 52^(nd) ed., Medical Economics, Montvale, N.J. (1998), and Kibbe, A. H., Handbook of Pharmaceutical Excipients, 3^(rd) Edition, American Pharmaceutical Association, Washington, D.C., 2000.

The pharmaceutical compositions can take any number of forms and the invention is not limited in this regard. Exemplary preparations are most preferably in a form suitable for oral administration such as a tablet, caplet, capsule, gel cap, troche, dispersion, suspension, solution, elixir, syrup, lozenge, transdermal patch, spray, suppository, and powder.

Oral dosage forms are preferred for those conjugates that are orally active, and include tablets, caplets, capsules, gel caps, suspensions, solutions, elixirs, and syrups, and can also comprise a plurality of granules, beads, powders or pellets that are optionally encapsulated. Such dosage forms are prepared using conventional methods known to those in the field of pharmaceutical formulation and described in the pertinent texts.

Tablets and caplets, for example, can be manufactured using standard tablet processing procedures and equipment. Direct compression and granulation techniques are preferred when preparing tablets or caplets containing the conjugates described herein. In addition to the conjugate, the tablets and caplets will generally contain inactive, pharmaceutically acceptable carrier materials such as binders, lubricants, disintegrants, fillers, stabilizers, surfactants, coloring agents, flow agents, and the like. Binders are used to impart cohesive qualities to a tablet, and thus ensure that the tablet remains intact. Suitable binder materials include, but are not limited to, starch (including corn starch and pregelatinized starch), gelatin, sugars (including sucrose, glucose, dextrose and lactose), polyethylene glycol, waxes, and natural and synthetic gums, e.g., acacia sodium alginate, polyvinylpyrrolidone, cellulosic polymers (including hydroxypropyl cellulose, hydroxypropyl methylcellulose, methyl cellulose, microcrystalline cellulose, ethyl cellulose, hydroxyethylcellulose, and the like), and Veegum. Lubricants are used to facilitate tablet manufacture, promoting powder flow and preventing particle capping (i.e., particle breakage) when pressure is relieved. Useful lubricants are magnesium stearate, calcium stearate, and stearic acid. Disintegrants are used to facilitate disintegration of the tablet, and are generally starches, clays, celluloses, algins, gums, or crosslinked polymers. Fillers include, for example, materials such as silicon dioxide, titanium dioxide, alumina, talc, kaolin, powdered cellulose, and microcrystalline cellulose, as well as soluble materials such as mannitol, urea, sucrose, lactose, dextrose, sodium chloride, and sorbitol. Stabilizers, as well known in the art, are used to inhibit or retard drug decomposition reactions that include, by way of example, oxidative reactions.

Capsules are also preferred oral dosage forms, in which case the conjugate-containing composition can be encapsulated in the form of a liquid or gel (e.g., in the case of a gel cap) or solid (including particulates such as granules, beads, powders or pellets). Suitable capsules include hard and soft capsules, and are generally made of gelatin, starch, or a cellulosic material. Two-piece hard gelatin capsules are preferably sealed, such as with gelatin bands or the like.

Included are parenteral formulations in the substantially dry form (as a lyophilizate or precipitate, which can be in the form of a powder or cake), as well as formulations prepared for injection, which are liquid and require the step of reconstituting the dry form of parenteral formulation. Examples of suitable diluents for reconstituting solid compositions prior to injection include bacteriostatic water for injection, dextrose 5% in water, phosphate-buffered saline, Ringer's solution, saline, sterile water, deionized water, and combinations thereof.

In some cases, compositions intended for parenteral administration can take the form of nonaqueous solutions, suspensions, or emulsions, normally being sterile. Examples of nonaqueous solvents or vehicles are propylene glycol, polyethylene glycol, vegetable oils, such as olive oil and corn oil, gelatin, and injectable organic esters such as ethyl oleate.

The parenteral formulations described herein can also contain adjuvants such as preserving, wetting, emulsifying, and dispersing agents. The formulations are rendered sterile by incorporation of a sterilizing agent, filtration through a bacteria-retaining filter, irradiation, or heat.

The compounds of the invention can also be administered through the skin using conventional transdermal patch or other transdermal delivery system, wherein the conjugate is contained within a laminated structure that serves as a drug delivery device to be affixed to the skin. In such a structure, the conjugate is contained in a layer, or “reservoir,” underlying an upper backing layer. The laminated structure can contain a single reservoir, or it can contain multiple reservoirs.

The compounds of the invention can also be formulated into a suppository for rectal administration. With respect to suppositories, the compound is mixed with a suppository base material which is (e.g., an excipient that remains solid at room temperature but softens, melts or dissolves at body temperature) such as coca butter (theobroma oil), polyethylene glycols, glycerinated gelatin, fatty acids, and combinations thereof. Suppositories can be prepared by, for example, performing the following steps (not necessarily in the order presented): melting the suppository base material to form a melt; incorporating the compound (either before or after melting of the suppository base material); pouring the melt into a mold; cooling the melt (e.g., placing the melt-containing mold in a room temperature environment) to thereby form suppositories; and removing the suppositories from the mold.

In some embodiments of the invention, the compositions comprising the compounds of the invention may further be incorporated into a suitable delivery vehicle. Such delivery vehicles may provide controlled and/or continuous release of the compounds and may also serve as a targeting moiety. Non-limiting examples of delivery vehicles include, adjuvants, synthetic adjuvants, microcapsules, microparticles, liposomes, and yeast cell wall particles. Yeast cells walls may be variously processed to selectively remove protein component, glucan, or mannan layers, and are referred to as whole glucan particles (WGP), yeast beta-glucan mannan particles (YGMP), yeast glucan particles (YGP), Rhodotorula yeast cell particles (YCP). Yeast cells such as S. cerevisiae and Rhodotorula species are preferred; however, any yeast cell may be used. These yeast cells exhibit different properties in terms of hydrodynamic volume and also differ in the target organ where they may release their contents. The methods of manufacture and characterization of these particles are described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,741,495, 4,810,646, 4,992,540, 5,028,703, 5,607,677 and U.S. Patent Application Publication Nos. 2005/0281781 and 2008/0044438.

The invention also provides a method for administering a compound of the invention as provided herein to a patient suffering from a condition that is responsive to treatment with the compound. The method comprises administering, generally orally, a therapeutically effective amount of the compound (preferably provided as part of a pharmaceutical preparation). Other modes of administration are also contemplated, such as pulmonary, nasal, buccal, rectal, sublingual, transdermal, and parenteral. As used herein, the term “parenteral” includes subcutaneous, intravenous, intra-arterial, intraperitoneal, intracardiac, intrathecal, and intramuscular injection, as well as infusion injections.

In instances where parenteral administration is utilized, it may be necessary to employ somewhat bigger oligomers than those described previously, with molecular weights ranging from about 500 to 30K Daltons (e.g., having molecular weights of about 500, 1000, 2000, 2500, 3000, 5000, 7500, 10000, 15000, 20000, 25000, 30000 or even more).

The method of administering may be used to treat any condition that can be remedied or prevented by administration of a particular compound of the invention. Those of ordinary skill in the art appreciate which conditions a specific compound can effectively treat. Exemplary conditions for which the compounds of the present invention are believed to be useful include chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML), gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTS), renal cell carcinoma, and solid tumors, including breast, lung, and colorectal cancers. The actual dose to be administered will vary depend upon the age, weight, and general condition of the subject as well as the severity of the condition being treated, the judgment of the health care professional, and conjugate being administered. Therapeutically effective amounts are known to those skilled in the art and/or are described in the pertinent reference texts and literature. Generally, a therapeutically effective amount will range from about 0.001 mg to 1000 mg, preferably in doses from 0.01 mg/day to 750 mg/day, and more preferably in doses from 0.10 mg/day to 500 mg/day.

The unit dosage of any given compound of the invention (again, preferably provided as part of a pharmaceutical preparation) can be administered in a variety of dosing schedules depending on the judgment of the clinician, needs of the patient, and so forth. The specific dosing schedule will be known by those of ordinary skill in the art or can be determined experimentally using routine methods. Exemplary dosing schedules include, without limitation, administration five times a day, four times a day, three times a day, twice daily, once daily, three times weekly, twice weekly, once weekly, twice monthly, once monthly, and any combination thereof. Once the clinical endpoint has been achieved, dosing of the composition is halted.

All articles, books, patents, patent publications and other publications referenced herein are incorporated by reference in their entireties. In the event of an inconsistency between the teachings of this specification and the art incorporated by reference, the meaning of the teachings in this specification shall prevail.

EXPERIMENTAL

It is to be understood that while the invention has been described in conjunction with certain preferred and specific embodiments, the foregoing description as well as the examples that follow are intended to illustrate and not limit the scope of the invention. Other aspects, advantages and modifications within the scope of the invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art to which the invention pertains.

All non-PEG chemical reagents referred to in the appended examples are commercially available unless otherwise indicated. The preparation of PEG-mers is described in, for example, U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2005/0136031.

¹H NMR (nuclear magnetic resonance) data was generated by an NMR spectrometer. A list of certain compounds as well as the source of the compounds is provided below.

EXAMPLE 1 Synthesis of Compounds Based on Imatinib

Preparation of 3-(dimethylamino)-1-(pyridine-3-yl) prop-2-en-1-one (compound 4): Acetylpyridine (11 mL, 0.1 mol) and N,N′-dimethylformamide dimethylacetal (27 mL, 0.2 mol) were dissolved in o-xylene (35 mL). The mixture was heated to 130° C. with stirring for 20 hours. During the reaction the methanol formed was removed by a trap connected to the reflux condenser. Upon cooling to room temperature, hexane (20 ml) was added to the mixture. The precipitated solid was collected by suction filtration and washed with hexane (200 mL). The desired product was obtained (15.4 g, yield: 90%) as a white solid; ¹H NMR (500 MHz, CDCl₃) δ2.95 (s, 3H), 3.18 (s, 3H), 5.68 (d, 1H), 7.36 (m, 1H), 7.84 (d, 1H), 8.18 (d, 1H), 8.67 (m, 1H), 9.10 (s, 1H). LC-MS (m/z) calculated, 176.1, found 177.1 [M+H]+.

Preparation of 4-(pyridine-3-yl) pyridine-2-amine (compound 5): 3-(Dimethylamino)-1-(pyridine-3-yl) prop-2-en-1-one (15.4 g, 0.088 mol), guanidine nitrate (10.7 g, 0.088 mol), and sodium hydroxide (3.5 g, 0.088 mol) were dissolved in n-butanol (120 mL). The mixture was heated to reflux with stirring and maintained for 16 hours. The reaction mixture was then cooled to room temperature. The solid was collected and washed with water (400 mL). The desired product was dried under vacuum for three days and 12.7 g of yellow crystals of desired product was obtained (yield: 85%); ¹H NMR (500 MHz, CDCl₃) δ5.15 (br., 2H), 7.09 (d, 1H), 7.44 (in, 1H), 8.33 (d, 1H), 8.42 (d, 1H), 8.73 (d, 1H), 9.22 (s, 1H). LC-MS (m/z) calculated, 172.2, found 173.2 [M+H]+.

Preparation of N-(2-methyl-5-nitrophenyl)-4—(pyridine-3-yl) pyridine-2-amine (compound 6): 4-(Pyridine-3-yl) pyridine-2-amine (8.60 g, 0.05 mol), CuI (2.39 g, 0.0125 mmol), anhydrous K₂CO₃ (14.0 g, 0.1 mol), KI (2.08 g, 0.0125 mol) were added to a Schlenk-type three-neck flask fitted with a thermometer, magnetic stirbar, and septum. The flask was evacuated and back filled with N₂ three times. Dioxane (250 mL) and 2-bromo-4-nitrotoluene (9.82 g, 0.045 mol) were added to the flask. Finally, N,N′-dimethylethylenediamine (1.10 g, 0.0125 mol) was added by syringe at room temperature with stirring. The reaction mixture was stirred at 110° C. under N₂ for 24 hours and then cooled to room temperature. Ammonia (30%, 100 mL) and saturated NaCl (400 mL), were added to the reaction mixture which was then extracted with ethyl acetate (500 mL×3). The organic phase was dried over Na₂SO₄ and a yellow solid was obtained after the solvent was removed under reduced pressure. The crude product was purified by column chromatography (biotage: DMC/Methanol, 1-8%, 20 CV). The desired product was obtained as a yellow solid (8.3 g, yield: 60%); ¹H NMR (500 MHz, CDCl₃) δ2.49 (s, 3H), 7.36 (m, 1H), 7.15 (br., 1H), 7.35 (d, 1H), 7.38 (d, 1H), 7.52 (m, 1H), 7.88 (d, 1H), 8.55 (d, 1H), 8.60 (d, 1H), 8.76 (d, 1H), 9.28 (s, 1H), 9.50 (s, 1H). LC-MS (m/z) calculated, 307.3, found, 308.3 [M+H]+.

Preparation of 6-Methyl-N-(4-(pyridine-3-yl) pyrimidin-2-yl) benzene-1,3-diamine (compound 7): N-(2-methyl-5-nitrophenyl)-4-(pyridine-3-yl) pyridine-2-amine (3.07 g, 10.0 mmol), hydrazine monohydrate (1.54 g of 65% solution in water, 20.0 mmol), FeCl₃ (21 mg, 0.13 mmol), and activated carbon (0.2 g) were dissolved in a mixture of methanol (200 mL) and ethyl acetate (100 mL). The reaction mixture was heated to 80° C. with stirring and maintained for 24 hours. The reaction mixture was cooled own to room temperature. The insoluble materials were removed by filtration, and the filtrate was concentrated under reduced pressure. The resulting residue was dissolved in ethyl acetate (150 mL) and washed with water (150×2). The organic phase was dried over anhydrous Na₂SO₄. The solvent was removed under reduced pressure and the resulting residue was purified by column chromatography (biotage: DMC/Methanol, 1-8%, 25 CV). The product was obtained (1.57 g, yield: 56.4%) as a yellow solid and 0.53 g starting material of N-(2-methyl-5-nitrophenyl)—4-(pyridine-3-yl) pyridine-2-amine was recovered; ¹H NMR (500 MHz, CDCl₃) 2.28 (s, 3H), 3.68 (s, 2H), 6.45 (d, 1H), 6.95 (s, 1H), 7.02 (d, 1H), 7.18 (d, 1H), 7.45 (m, 1H), 7.35 (d, 1H), 7.65 (s, 1H), 8.37 (d, 1H), 8.52 (d, 1H), 8.74 (d, 1H), 9.28 (s, 1H). LC-MS (m/z) calculated, 277.3, found, 278.2 [M+H]+.

Preparation of 4-(Chloromethyl)-N-(4-(methyl-3-(4—(pyridin-3-yl) pyrimidine-2-ylamino)phenyl) benzamide (compound 8): 6-Methyl-N-(4-(pyridine-3-yl) pyrimidin-2-yl) benzene-1,3-diamine (1.24 g, 4.46 mmol) and TEA (1.4 mL, 8.92 mmol) was dissolved in THF (15 mL). The resulting solution was cooled to 0° C. with stirring and maintained for 10 minutes. A solution of 4-(chloromethyl)benzoyl chloride (0.97 g, 5.14 mmol) in THF (5 mL) was added dropwise. After stirring at 0° C. for 4 hours, water (140 mL) was added dropwise to the reaction mixture, and a light-yellow precipitate appeared. The resulting precipitate was collected by suction filtration, washed with water (300 mL), and dried under vacuum. The crude product was purified by column chromatography (biotage: DMC/Methanol, 1-8%, 25 CV). The desired product was obtained (1.82 g, yield: 94.2%) as a light-yellow solid; ¹H NMR (500 MHz, CDCl₃) δ2.38 (s, 3H), 4.66 (s, 2H), 7.05 (s, 1H), 7.22 (m, 2H), 7.30 (m, 1H), 7.42 (d, 1H), 7.51 (d, 2H), 7.89 (m, 3H), 8.51 (m, 2H), 8.63 (s, 1H), 8.71 (d, 1H), 9.28 (s, IH). LC-MS (m/z) calculated, 429.14, found, 430.2 [M+H]+.

Synthesis of mPEG_(n)-N-Imatinib: 4—(Chloromethyl)-N-(4-(methyl-3-(4-(pyridin-3—yppyrimidine-2—ylamino)phenyl)benzamide (129 mg, 0.3 mmol) and mPEG_(n)-NH₂ (1.50 mmol, n=3, 5, 7, 9) was reacted under microwave conditions at 120° C. for one hour. After cooling to room temperature, DCM (100 mL) was added to the reaction mixture. The resulting solution was extracted with 1M HCl (50 mL). The acidic aqueous phase was neutralized with sodium carbonate, and then extracted with DCM (100 mL×2). The organic phase was dried over Na₂SO₄ and the solvent removed under reduced pressure. The resulting residue was purified by column chromatography (biotage: DCM/CH₃OH, CH₃OH, 5—10%, 25 CV). The desired products were obtained in yields: 65-85%.

mPEG₃-N-Imatinib (compound la) NMR (500 MHz, CDCl₃) δ2.27 (s, 3H), 2.62 (br., 1H), 2.76 (t, 2H), 3.31 (s, 3H), 3.49 (m, 2H), 3.59 (m, 8H), 3.80 (s, 2H), 7.08 (s, 1H), 7.12 (m, 1H), 7.28 (m, IH), 7.30 (m, 3H), 7.79 (d, 2H), 8.42 (m, 2H), 8.51(d, 2H), 8.62 (d, 1H), 9.17 (s, 1H); LC-MS (m/z) calculated, 556.3, found, 557.3 [M+H]+.

mPEG₅-N-Imatinib (compound 1b) ¹H NMR (500 MHz, CDCl₃) δ1.99 (br., 1H), 2.35 (s, 3H), 2.80 (t, 2H), 3.34 (s, 3H), 3.52 (m, 2H), 3.62 (m, 16H), 3.86 (s, 2H), 7.06 (s, 1H), 7.17 (m, 2H), 7.30 (m, 1H), 7.41 (m, 3H), 7.84 (d, 2H), 8.11 (s, 1H), 8.51 (m, 2H), 8.59 (s, 1H), 8.69 (d, 1H), 9.22 (s, 1H); LC-MS (m/z) calculated, 644.3, found, 645.3 [M+H]+.

mPEG₇-N-Imatinib (compound 1c)¹H NMR (500 MHz, CDCl₃) δ1.93 (br., 1H), 2.33 (s, 3H), 2.80 (t, 2H), 3.34 (s, 3H), 3.52 (m, 2H), 3.62 (m, 24H), 3.86 (s, 2H), 7.06 (s, 1H), 7.17 (m, 2H), 7.30 (m, 1H), 7.41 (m, 3H), 7.84 (d, 2H), 8.11 (s, 1H), 8.51(m, 2H), 8.59 (s, 1H), 8.69 (d, 1H), 9.22 (s, 1H); LC-MS (m/z) calculated, 732.4, found, 733.5 [M+H]+.

mPEG₉-N-Imatinib (compound 1d) NMR (500 MHz, CDCl₃)δ2.27 (s, 3H), 276 (t, 2H), 3.31 (s, 3H), 3.48 (m, 2H), 3.58 (m, 32H), 3.81 (s, 2H), 7.10 (m, 3H), 7.28 (m, 1H), 7.37 (m, 3H), 7.84 (d, 2H), 8.44 (m, 2H), 8.46 (m, 1H), 8.52 (m, 2H), 8.63 (d, 1H), 9.17 (s, 1H); LC-MS (m/z) calculated, 820.4, found, 821.5 [M+H]+.

Preparation of mPEG_(n)-N-piperazine: t-Butyl 1-piperazine carboxylate (372 mg, 2.0 mmol) and mPEG_(n)—Br (2.40 mmol, n=3, 5, 7, and 9) were dissolved in DMF (1 mL) and potassium carbonate (414 mg, 3.0 mmol) in water (0.5 mL) was added. The reaction was carried out with a CEM microwave system at 100° C. for one hour. The reaction mixture was transferred to a separatory funnel with DCM (100 mL), and washed with water (100 mL×2). The organic phase was dried over Na₂SO₄ and the solvent removed under reduced pressure. The oil obtained was dissolved in 5 mL of a TFAIDCM mixture (2:3) which was stirred for three hours at room temperature. Water (15 mL) was added to the reaction mixture and the acidic aqueous phase was washed with DCM (30 mL×2). The aqueous phase was neutralized with sodium carbonate, and then extracted with DCM (100 mL×2). The combined organic phase was dried over anhydrous Na₂SO₄and the solvent removed under reduced pressure. The desired products were obtained as colorless oils which were used in the next reaction without further purification.

mPEG₃-N-piperazine ¹H NMR (500 MHz, CDCl₃) δ2.49 (br., 4H), 2.61 (t, 2H), 2.94 (t, 4H), 3.38 (s, 3H), 3.55 (m, 2H), 3.64 (m, 8H).

mPEG₅-N-piperazine NMR (500 MHz, CDCl₃) δ2.50 (br., 4H), 2.61 (t, 2H), 2.94 (t, 4H), 3.36 (s, 3H), 3.55 (m, 2H), 3.64 (m, 16H).

mPEG₇-N-piperazine ¹H NMR (500 MHz, CDCl₃) δ2.48 (br., 4H), 2.61 (t, 2H), 2.94 (t, 4H), 3.38 (s, 3H), 3.55 (m, 2H), 3.65 (m, 24H).

mPEG₉-N-piperazine ¹H NMR (500 MHz, CDCl₃) δ2.53 (br., 4H), 2.60 (t, 2H), 2.96 (t, 4H), 3.38 (s, 3H), 3.55 (m, 2H), 3.64 (m, 32H).

Preparation of mPEG_(n)-N′-Imatinib: 4-(Chloromethyl)-N-(4-(methyl-3-(4-(pyridin-3-yl)pyrimidine-2-ylamino)phenyl)benzamide (189 mg, 0.44 mmol) and mPEG_(n)-piperazine (0.44 mmol, n=3, 5, 7, 9) were dissolved in DMF (1 mL) and potassium carbonate (91 mg, 0.66 mmol) in water (0.5 mL) was added. The reaction was carried out with a CEM microwave system at 100° C. for one hour. Upon cooling to room temperature, DCM (100 mL) was added to the reaction mixture and the resulting solution was washed with water (100 mL×2). The organic phase was dried over Na₂SO₄ and the solvent removed under reduced pressure. The resulting residue was purified by column chromatography (biotage: DCM/CH₃OH, CH₃OH, 8-10%, 25 CV). The desired products were obtained in yields: 65-85%.

mPEG₃-N′-Imatinib (compound 2a) ¹H NMR (500 MHz, CDCl₃) δ2.28 (s, 3H), 2.46 (br., 8H), 2.58 (d, 2H), 3.33 (s, 3H), 3.50 (m, 4H), 3.60 (m, 8H), 7.11 (m, 2H), 7.15 (m, 1H), 7.29 (m, 1H), 7.36 (m, 3H), 7.80 (d, 2H), 8.29 (s, 1H), 8.43 (m, 2H), 8.54 (s, 1H), 8.64 (d, 1H), 9.18 (s, 1H); LC-MS (m/z) calculated, 625.3, found, 626.3 [M+H]+.

mPEG₅-N′-Imatinib (compound 2b)¹H NMR (500 MHz, CDCl₃) δ2.30 (s, 3H), 2.46 (br., 8H), 2.58 (d, 2H), 3.33 (s, 3H), 3.50 (m, 4H), 3.61 (m, 16H), 7.11 (m, 2H), 7.15 (m, 1H), 7.29 (m, 1H), 7.36 (m, 3H), 7.80 (d, 2H), 8.29 (s, 1H), 8.43 (m, 2H), 8.54 (s, 1H), 8.64 (d, 1H), 9.18 (s, 1H); LC-MS (in z) calculated, 713.4, found, 714.5 [M+H]+.

mPEG₇-N′-Imatinib (compound 2c) ¹H NMR (500 MHz, CDCl₃) δ2.32 (s, 3H), 2.48 (br., 8H), 2.58 (d, 2H), 3.35 (s, 3H), 3.54 (m, 4H), 3.62 (m, 24H), 7.06 (s, 1H), 7.16 (m, 2H), 7.19 (m, 1H), 7.29 (m, 1H), 7.41 (m, 3H), 7.80 (d, 2H), 8.10 (s, 1H), 8.43 (m, 2H), 8.54 (s, 1H), 8.64 (d, 1H), 9.21 (s, 1H); LC-MS (m/z) calculated, 801.4, found, 802.5 [M+H]+.

mPEG₉-N′-Imatinib (compound 2c) ¹H NMR (500 MHz, CDCl₃) δ2.34 (s, 3H), 2.57 (br., 4H), 2.73 (br., 611), 3.36 (s, 3H), 3.53 (in, 2H), 3.62 (m, 34H), 7.09 (s, 1H), 7.17 (m, 2H), 7.34 (in, 1H), 7.41 (m, 3H), 7.85 (d, 2H), 8.19 (br., 1H), 8.51 (n, 3H), 8.71 (d, 1H), 9.30 (s, 1H); LC-MS (m/z) calculated, 889.5, found, 890.5 [M+H]+.

EXAMPLE 2 ABL and PDGFR, and C-kit Tyrosine Kinase Inhibition

These assays were completed using the Caliper LABCHIP 3000 and a 12-sipper LABCHIP. LABCHIP assays are separations-based, meaning that the product and substrate are electrophoretically separated, thereby minimizing interferences and yielding the highest data quality available on any screening platform. Z′ factors for both the EZ Reader and LC3000 enzymatic assays are routinely in the 0.8 to 0.9 range. High Z′ values, few false positives, few false negatives and analytical quality reproducibility are the reasons cited for the increasing reliance on the LABCI-IIP assays.

The off-chip incubation mobility-shift kinase assay uses a microfluidic chip to measure the conversion of a fluorescent peptide substrate to a phosphorylated product. The reaction mixture, from a microtiter plate well, is introduced through a capillary sipper onto the chip, where the non-phosphorylated substrate and phosphorylated product are separated by electrophoresis and detected via laser-induced fluorescence. The signature of the fluorescence signal over time reveals the extent of the reaction. The assay conditions are provided in Table 1. DMSO and DTT were at 4% and 1 mM, respectively.

TABLE 1 Assay Conditions Kinase Final [E] Peptide ATP (at Km) Buffer/Detergent Cation Enzyme Vendor/Cat # ABL 0.7 nM 1.5 μM  14 μM 50 mM HEPES, pH MgCl₂ MILLIPORE/ FL-labeled 7.5/0.002% BRIJ 14-529 PDGFRβ  50 nM 1.5 μM  12 μM 50 mM MOPS, pH MnCl₂ MILLIPORE/ FL-labeled 6.5/0.004% TRITON 14-463 X-100 cKIT  20 nM 1.5 μM 300 μM 50 mM Hepes, pH 7.5 MnCl₂ MILLIPORE/ FL-labeled 14-559

Results shown are the averages of replicate wells. A result of >3E-06 is reported for curves that did not reach 50% activity at the highest concentration chosen for the study. Activity must be ≦50% to report an accurate IC₅₀. ABL AVG % activity at a specific concentration is provided in Table 2, PDGFR AVG % activity at specific concentration is provided in Table 3, and C-kit AVG % activity at specific concentration is provided in Table 4. Imatinib mesylate was obtained from commercial sources and all other compounds were obtained in accordance with the procedures set forth in Example 1.

TABLE 2 ABL AVG % Activity at Specific Concentration Compound 3.0E−06 1.0E−06 3.0E−07 1.0E−07 3.0E−08 1.0E−08 3.0E−09 1.0E−09 3.0E−10 1.0E−10 IC₅₀ (M) mPEG₃-N-Imatinib 49 61 71 78 85 92 96 96 97 97 1.2E−06 mPEG₅-N-Imatinib 66 74 80 86 92 95 96 97 96 96   3E−06 mPEG₇-N-Imatinib 59 73 82 90 94 94 96 97 97 97   3E−06 mPEG₉-N-Imatinib 70 77 85 89 93 97 96 96 96 96   3E−06 mPEG₃-N′-Imatinib 43 66 79 84 89 92 94 98 97 96 2.7E−06 mPEG₅-N′-Imatinib 38 61 76 82 87 92 98 96 97 99 1.9E−06 mPEG₇-N′-Imatinib 52 69 78 83 88 92 96 96 97 96   3E−06 mPEG₉-N′-Imatinib 49 69 79 84 89 93 96 97 97 97 3.8E−06 Imatinib mesylate 2 11 33 59 74 79 86 91 94 97 1.6E−07

TABLE 3 PDGFR AVG % Activity at Specific Concentration Compound 3.0E−06 1.0E−06 3.0E−07 1.0E−07 3.0E−08 1.0E−08 3.0E−09 1.0E−09 3.0E−10 1.0E−10 IC₅₀ (M) mPEG₃-N-Imatinib 0 4 19 43 67 89 100 90 96 97 8.2E−08 mPEG₅-N-Imatinib 0 9 37 62 85 94 100 90 92 92 2.2E−07 mPEG₇-N-Imatinib 0 13 39 67 100 96 99 93 93 97 2.3E−07 mPEG₉-N-Imatinib 0 11 38 65 75 83 100 78 86 89 2.9E−07 mPEG₃-N′-Imatinib 0 12 35 53 69 79 81 89 100 93 3.9E−07 mPEG₅-N′-Imatinib 0 9 31 50 80 79 98 93 95 100 1.5E−07 mPEG₇-N′-Imatinib 0 18 43 76 91 91 93 98 100 95 3.1E−07 mPEG₉-N′-Imatinib 0 13 48 74 86 95 100 99 95 92 3.4E−07 Imatinib mesylate 0 4 15 36 73 87 94 98 100 99 6.9E−08

TABLE 4 C-kit AVG % Activity at Specific Concentration Compound 3.0E−05 1.0E−05 3.0E−06 1.0E−06 3.0E−07 1.0E−07 3.0E−08 1.0E−08 3.0E−09 1.0E−09 IC₅₀ (M) mPEG₃-N-Imatinib 0 1 4 15 47 69 88 91 97 NA  2.4E−07 mPEG₅-N-Imatinib 0 1 9 28 59 82 91 92 96 NA  4.4E−07 mPEG₇-N-Imatinib 1 6 23 50 76 88 95 100 99 NA  1.0E−06 mPEG₉-N-Imatinib 2 9 32 62 81 93 99 98 99 NA  1.6E−06 mPEG₃-N′-Imatinib 0 1 9 30 60 80 91 95 96 NA  4.5E−07 mPEG₅-N′-Imatinib 0 3 13 37 66 84 89 87 91 NA 7.60E−07 mPEG₇-N′-Imatinib 4 16 44 69 84 91 97 95 95 NA  2.5E−06 mPEG₉-N′-Imatinib 0 2 12 35 64 82 92 91 95 NA  5.5E−07 Imatinib-NMe 1 0 3 13 42 69 87 94 97 95  2.2E−07 Imatinib mesylate 3 13 40 69 86 93 96 97 NA NA  2.1E−07

EXAMPLE 3 Thermodynamic Solubility of Imatinib-Corresponding Compounds

Test compound (2.5 mg of solid; n=1) is weighed in a clear glass vial and buffer (0.5 mL) is added (phosphate buffered saline, pH 7.4). The solution is agitated at ambient temperature overnight using a vial roller system. The solution is then filtered (0.45 AM pore size; without pre-saturation). Duplicate aliquots (50 μL) are sampled from the filtrate and diluted with one volume of 0.1 N hydrochloric acid and methanol (1:1 v/v) before analysis by HPLC-UV. A standard is prepared in DMSO at 10 mg/mL (n=1) which is then diluted 10 fold in 0.1 N hydrochloric acid and methanol (1:1 v/v) to give a 1 mg/mL solution. The concentration of test compound in the filtrate is quantified relative to the concentration standard.

Analysis is performed using a gradient HPLC-UV system with a total cycle time of six minutes. The UV detection is performed using a photodiodc array detector acquired between 220 nm and 300 nm and total response is monitored. The results are shown in Table 5, below. Imatinib was obtained from commercial sources and all other compounds were obtained in accordance with the procedures set forth in Example 1

TABLE 5 Solubility Results for Tested Compounds Solubility Compound (mg/mL) Imatinib 0.06 mPEG₃-N′-imatinib 0.5 mPEG₅-N′-imatinib 3.3 mPEG₇-N′-imatinib 3.0 mPEG₉-N′-imatinib 2.5 Imatinib-NMe 2.0 mPEG₃-N-imatinib 3.3 mPEG₅-N-imatinib 3.4 mPEG₇-N-imatinib 3.6 mPEG₉-N-imatinib 2.7

EXAMPLE 4 Caco-2 Permeability (Bi-directional; pH 7.4/pH 7.4)

Caco-2 cells are used as an in vitro model of the human intestinal epithelium and permit assessment of the intestinal permeability of potential drugs. Test compound is added to either the apical or basolateral side of a confluent monolayer of Caco-2 cells and permeability is measured by monitoring the appearance of the test compound on the opposite side of the membrane using LC-MS/MS. Apparent permeability (P_(app)) coefficients, efflux ratio for the test compound and recovery values were determined.

To measure the permeability of test compound in the apical to basolateral (A-B) and basolateral to apical (B-A) direction across Caco-2 cells. A ratio of B-A and A-B permeabilities is calculated (efflux ratio) which shows whether the compound undergoes active transport.

Caco-2 cells obtained from the ATCC are used between passage numbers 40-60. Cells are seeded on to Millipore Multiscreen Caco-2 plates at 1×10⁵ cells/cm². They are cultured for 20 days in DMEM and media is changed every two or three days. On day 20 the permeability study is performed.

Hanks Balanced Salt Solution (HBSS) pH 7.4 buffer with 25 mM HEPES and 4.45 mM glucose at 37° C. is used as the medium in the permeability studies. Incubations are carried out in an atmosphere of 5% CO₂ with a relative humidity of 95% at 37° C. On day 20, the monolayers are prepared by rinsing both basolateral and apical surfaces twice with HBSS at 37° C. Cells are then incubated with HBSS in both apical and basolateral compartments for 40 min to stabilize physiological parameters. HBSS is then removed from the apical compartment and replaced with test compound dosing solutions. The solutions are made by diluting 10 mM test compound in DMSO with HBSS to give a final test compound concentration of 10 μM (final DMSO concentration 1%). The fluorescent integrity marker lucifer yellow is also included in the dosine solution. Analytical standards are made from dosing solutions. The apical compartment inserts are then placed into ‘companion’ plates containing fresh HBSS. For basolateral to apical (B-A) permeability determination the experiment is initiated by replacing buffer in the inserts then placing them in companion plates containing dosing solutions. At 120 minutes the companion plate is removed and apical and basolateral samples diluted for analysis by LC-MS/MS. Test compound permeability was assessed in duplicate. On each plate, compounds of known permeability characteristics were run as controls.

Test and control compounds were quantified by LC-MS/MS cassette analysis using a 5-point calibration with appropriate dilution of the samples. Cyprotex generic analytical conditions were used. The starting concentration (C₀) and experimental recovery were calculated from both apical and basolateral compartment concentrations.

The integrity of the monolayers throughout the experiment was checked by monitoring lucifer yellow permeation using fluorimetric analysis. Lucifer yellow permeation is low if monolayers have not been damaged. If a lucifer yellow P_(app) value was above QC limits in one individual test compound well, then an n=1 result is reported. If lucifer yellow P_(app) values are above QC limits in both replicate wells for a test compound, the compound was re-tested. If on repeat, high lucifer yellow permeation was observed in both wells then toxicity or inherent fluorescence of the test compound was assumed and no further experiments were performed.

Data Analysis: The permeability coefficient for each compound (P_(app)) is calculated from the following equation:

$\mspace{20mu} {P_{app} = \left( \frac{\frac{Q}{t}}{\text{?}} \right)}$ ?indicates text missing or illegible when filed

wherein dQ/dt is the rate of permeation of the drug across the cells, C₀ is the donor compartment concentration at time zero and A is the area of the cell monolayer. C₀ is obtained from analysis of donor and receiver compartments at the end of the incubation period. It is assumed that all of the test compound measured after 120 minutes incubation was initially present in the donor compartment at 0 minutes. An efflux ratio (ER) is derived as follows:

${ER} = \frac{P_{{app}{({B - A})}}}{P_{{app}{({A - B})}}}$

An efflux ratio greater than two shows efflux from the Caco-2 cells, which indicates that the compound may have potential absorption problems in vivo (although in such an instance, other delivery approaches can be useful to address potential absorption problems).

The apparent permeability (P_(app (A-B))) values of test compounds were compared to those of control compounds, atenolol and propranolol, which have human absorption of approximately 50 and 90% respectively. Talinolol (a known P-gp substrate) is also included as a control compound to assess whether functional P-gp is present in the Caco-2 cell monolayer. The apparent permeability and efflux ratio of tested compounds are shown in Table 6, below. Imatinib was obtained from commercial sources and all other compounds were obtained in accordance with the procedures set forth in Example 1

TABLE 6 Apparent Permeability and Efflux Ratios of Tested Compounds Compound Permeability (cm²/s × 10⁶) Efflux ratio Imatinib 9.0 ± 0.5 2.89 mPEG₃-N′-imatinib 4.0 ± 0.8 8.15 mPEG₅-N′-imatinib 1.0 +0.2 38.2 mPEG₇-N′-imatinib  0.3 ± 0.01 75.7 mPEG₉-N′-imatinib 0.05 ± 0.02 359 Imatinib-NMe 1.2 ± 0.4 60.4 mPEG₃-N-imatinib  0.6 ± 0.07 79.1 mPEG₅-N-imatinib 0.05 ± 0.02 560 mPEG₇-N-imatinib 0.04 ± 0.01 391 mPEG₉-N-imatinib  0.01 ± 0.004 482

EXAMPLE 5 Tumor-Inhibiting Activity

The tumor-inhibiting activity is determined using female Balb/c nude mice in which human T24 bladder carcinoma has been transplanted. On day 0, about 25 mg piece of solid tumor is transplanted subcutaneously under peroral “forene” narcosis on the left flank and the small incision wound is closed with a suture clip. On day 6 after the tumor transplantation, the mice are randomized in groups of 6 animals and treatment is commenced. The treatment is carded out for 15 days by administering a compound of the invention or the corresponding compound without a water-soluble, non-peptidic oligomer in different doses perorally or intraperitoneally once daily. The tumors are measured twice weekly with a sliding caliper and the tumor volume is determined. In this assay, the administration of a compound of the invention effects a reduction in the average tumor volume compared with the corresponding compound without a water-soluble, non-peptidic oligomer. 

1-18. (canceled)
 19. A method of treating a condition selected from the group consisting of chronic myelogenous leukemia, gastrointestinal stromal tumors, renal cell carcinoma, breast cancer, lung cancer and colorectal cancer, the method comprising administering to a patient in need thereof a compound selected from

and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, wherein X is a spacer moiety selected from a covalent bond, —C(O), —C(O)O—, —CH₂C(O)O—, CH₂—OC(O)—, —C(O)O—CH₂—, —C(O)—NH, —CH₂—, —CH₂—CH₂—, CH₂—CH₂—CH₂—, —CH₂—CH₂—CH₂, —CH₂—O—, —CH₂—O—CH₂, —CH₂—CH₂—O—, —CH₂—O—CH₂—CH₂—, —CH₂—CH₂—O—CH₂—, —CH₂—CH₂—CH₂—O—, —CH₂—O—CH₂—CH₂—, —CH₂—CH₂—O—CH₂—CH₂—, —CH₂—CH₂—CH₂—O—CH₂—, —CH₂—CH₂—CH₂—CH₂—O—, —C(O)—NH—CH₂—, —C(O)—NH—CH₂—CH₂, —CH₂—C(O)—NH—CH₂—, —CH₂—CH₂—C(O)—NH—, —C(O)—NH—CH₂—CH₂—CH₂—, —CH₂—C(O)—NH—CH₂—CH₂—, —CH₂—CH₂—C(O)—NH—CH₂—, —CH₂—CH₂—CH₂—C(O)—NH—, —C(O)—NH—CH₂—CH₂—CH₂—CH₂—, CH₂—C(O)—NH—CH₂—CH₂—CH₂—, —CH₂—CH₂—C(O)—NH—CH₂—CH2—, —CH,——CH₂—CH₂—CH₂—C(O)—NH—CH₂—, —CH₂—CH₂—CH₂—C(O)—NH—CH₂—CH₂—, —CH₂—CH₂—CH₂—CH₂—C(O)—NH—, —CH₂—NH—C(O)—CH₂—, —CH₂—CH₂—NH—C(O)—CH2—, —CH₂—NH—C(O)—CH₂—CH₂—, —CH₂—CH₂—, —C(O)—NH—CH₂—, —C(O)—NH—CH₂—CH₂CH₂—, —CH₂——NH—CH₂, —CH₂—CH₂—NH—CH₂—, —C(O)—CH₂—, —C(O)—CH₂—CH₂—, —CH₂—C(O)—CH₂—, —CH₂—CH₂——C(O)—CH₂—, —CH₂—CH₂—C(O)—CH₂—CH₂—, —CH₂—CH₂—C(O)—, —CH₂—CH₂—CH₂—C(O)—NH—CH₂—CH₂—NH—, —CH₂—CH₂—CH₂—C(O)—NH—CH₂—CH₂—NH—C(O)—, —CH₂—CH₂—CH₂—C(O)—NH—CH₂—CH₂—NH—C(O)—CH₂—, a bivalent cycloalkyl group, —N(R⁶)—, R⁶ is H or an organic radical selected from the group consisting of alkyl, substituted alkyl, alkenyl, substituted alkenyl, alkynyl, substituted alkynyl, aryl and substituted aryl; and POLY is a poly(alkylene oxide) oligomer.
 20. The method of claim 19, wherein the poly(alkylene oxide) oligomer is a poly(ethylene oxide) oligomer.
 21. The method of claim 20, wherein the poly(ethylene oxide) oligomer has from about 1 to about 30 monomers.
 22. The method of claim 21, wherein the poly(ethylene oxide) oligomer has from about 1 to about 10 monomers.
 23. The method of claim 20, wherein the poly(alkylene oxide) includes an alkoxy or hydroxy end-capping moiety.
 24. The method of claim 19, wherein X is selected from a covalent bond, —C(O), —C(O)O—, —CH₂C(O)O—, —CH₂—OC(O)—, —C(O)O—CH₂—, —C(O)—NH, —CH₂—, —CH₂—CH₂—, —CH₂—CH₂—CH₂—, —CH₂—CH₂—CH₂—CH₂, —CH₂—O—, —CH₂—O—CH₂—, —CH₂—CH₂—O—, —CH₂—O—CH₂—CH₂—, —CH₂—CH₂—CH₂—O—, —C(O)—NH—CH₂—, —C(O)—NH—CH₂—CH₂, —CH₂—CH₂—C(O)—NH—, —C(O)—NH—CH₂—CH₂—CH₂—, —C(O)—NH—CH₂—CH₂—CH₂—CH₂—, CH₂—CH₂—CH₂—CH₂—C(O)—NH—, —C(O)—NH—CH₂—CH₂, —C(O)—CH₂—, —C(O)—CH₂—CH₂—, and —CH₂—CH₂—C(O)—.
 25. The method of claim 19, wherein the X is selected from a covalent bond, —C(O), —C(O)O—, —C(O)—NH—, —CH₂—CH₂—, —CH₂—CH₂—CH₂—, and —CH₂—CH₂—CH₂—CH₂.
 26. The method of claim 19, wherein X is a covalent bond.
 27. The method of claim 19, wherein the compound is selected from

wherein n is an integer from 1 to
 30. 28. The method of claim 27, wherein n is an integer from 2 to
 10. 